The field of anthropology focuses on studying human behaviors and social structures both in the past and present (Kottak, 2013). On the other hand, political systems or politics is concerned with authority and power (Kottak, 2013). The two fields have different realms of focus. However, they are closely related disciplines, and each makes significant contributions to the other.
An anthropological exploration of today’s political systems can help us understand today’s politics in a much better way. An anthropological perspective enables us to study the political systems of today’s world societies hence it is central to modern day political thought (Kottak, 2013). Moreover, through having an in-depth understanding of the past, such as the political and anthropological processes at work and establishing the triggers of social stability and change in the society, we obtain insight. This insight is useful in the sense that it allows us to make more informed political decisions about the future. Typically, such study is likely to inform political systems and public policy and ultimately shape a proper political response to any changes.
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Politics or a political system is parasitical on social relationships (Kottak, 2013). Political anthropologists agree that all societies have established proper mechanisms to maintain law and order. In each society, there are some agencies which practice constraint on torture, property taxes, and genocide. The primary concern of a political system is to encourage social integration, implement the rights of citizens and maintain law and order (Kottak, 2013). Today’s political anthropologists are most interested in the contextual specify of political systems, the sentiments that individuals bring to their political practices and the mechanisms via which locals are integrated into the larger political life. Therefore, politics and anthropology are inseparable. This establishes the relevance of an anthropological perspective on today’s political systems.
References
Kottak, P. (2013). Mirror for Humanity: A Concise Introduction to Cultural Anthropology. Boston, MA: McGraw Hill Higher Education.
