Construct · 1 fields · 1 citations

chief: a standalone construct

One name. One construct. A landmark on the map.

● anchor · a standalone construct Nearest construct by meaning·not indexed
chief1 CONSTRUCTChief (polity)SAHLINS · POLITY

A single standalone construct; nearby constructs are located against it in the Collider. Tap a field for its definition, unit, and measures.

Political anthropology

An office of centralised authority

In political anthropology a chief holds an office of centralised authority over a kin-based society, a rank above the informal "big-man," with claims to tribute and redistribution. Sahlins's 1963 Poor man, rich man, big-man, chief contrasts the Melanesian self-made big-man with the Polynesian chief who inherits a structural position. The referent is a role in a social hierarchy, gauged by followers, tribute, and succession. It is a different construct entirely from a band on a shield or a gastric cell.[1]

Unit
The scope of authority, tribute, and followers attached to the office
Recovery means
Not applicable
Measured by
Characterised by succession rules, tribute flows, and the reach of redistributive authority

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Nearby constructs

succession4 fields · 4 citationsjingle · one word, four constructsauthority4 fields · 6 citationsjingle · one word, four constructsband2 fields · 2 citationsjingle · one word, two constructs

References

  1. Sahlins, M. D. (1963). Poor man, rich man, big-man, chief: Political types in Melanesia and Polynesia. Comparative Studies in Society and History, 5(3), 285–303. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0010417500001729

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