1.2.c Anthropology and Political science.

Aristotle who had coined the term Anthropology, in his book Politics had defined man as a political animal. Political structure is a part and parcel of social structure in all existing societies be it primitive ones or advanced societies. Hence Political anthropology and Political science share a lot in common.

Prior to 1940 it was the pervading view amongst Political scientists that politics was an attribut of state societies. However with the publication of 'African Political Systems' by Ivans-Pitchard and Meyer Fortes, it was recognised that political systems existed within stateless societies too. The book not only analysed the political systems of 8 sub-saharan societies but also related them to the social structure; and evolution due to colonial contact.

Thus it was realised by political scientists that the study of politics was incomplete without the knowledge of its social aspects. Anthropologists too depend on political science for their conclusions.

Scope-

Anthropology is universal in its scope as it studies all the societies in various stages of development. However the emphesis is on primitive, peasant and pre-industrial societies.

Political science studies the political structures of the modern complex societies only. It is a half science.

Subject matter-

Anthropology defines how man became a political being in relation to social and cultural systems.

Studies maintenance of law and order in terms of social control and systems of law and jural norms.

Gives an expanded comparitive understanding of political systems; highlighting that cirme, law and war are not universal.

Studies socio- cultural integration in terms of conflict resolution and functionality.

Studies conscious and unconscious activities to analyse the political lives.

Political science assumes man to be a political being.

Studies maintenance of law and order in terms of laws. courts, judicial mechanisms. military and councils.

Gives a narrow understanding (only of modern society) considerin that war, crime and law are universal.

Studies integration of judicial, legislative and executive organs of political systems.

Studies conscious activities to analyse the political lives.

Methodology-

Anthropology depends on field work to derive its conclusions.

It uses structural-functional approach, conflict approach, processual approach and world system approach to study political life of different societies.

Political science is mostly text guided with little stress on field work.

It uses structural, funcational and marxian approaches to study political life in modern society.