What aspects do anthropologists look at when they study political systems? Describe the types of societies, as well as the role of power and social control.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_system#Anthropological_forms_of_political_systems

Of course! I'll break down the question for you and explain how you can approach it.

The question is asking about the aspects that anthropologists consider when studying political systems, as well as the types of societies they examine, and the role of power and social control within those societies. Here's how you can understand and answer it:

1. Aspects studied by anthropologists:
Anthropologists study various aspects of political systems, including:
- Decision-making processes: How decisions are made within a society, whether through individual leaders, consensus, voting, or other mechanisms.
- Political organization: The structure and organization of political systems, which can involve formal institutions like governments, laws, and bureaucracies, or informal structures of authority and power.
- Distribution of power: The ways in which power is distributed within a society and how individuals or groups attain and maintain power.
- Political ideologies and beliefs: The ideas, values, and beliefs that shape political systems and guide actions and decision-making.

2. Types of societies:
Anthropologists examine a range of societies when studying political systems. Some common types include:
- Band societies: Small-scale societies with loose political organization, typically found among hunter-gatherer communities.
- Tribe societies: Larger than bands, tribes have more formalized political structures, often based on kinship ties and descent groups.
- Chiefdom societies: Hierarchical societies where power is concentrated in a chief or leader, and political authority is based on family connections, lineage, or warrior status.
- State societies: Large-scale societies with centralized political systems that often include governments, laws, and bureaucracies. States can further vary in their levels of complexity and centralization.

3. Role of power and social control:
Power and social control are integral to political systems. Anthropologists study how power is obtained, exercised, and justified within societies. They also examine mechanisms of social control, which can include formal punishment systems, informal norms and values, religious or ideological systems, and mechanisms for resolving conflicts and maintaining social order.

To answer the question, you can provide a brief overview of the aspects that anthropologists study, mention some examples of different types of societies, and discuss the important role of power and social control in political systems.

Remember, this explanation is a guide to help you understand the question and how to approach answering it. You should further research the topic and include your own analysis in your response.