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== Distribution of Power == | == Distribution of Power == | ||
* a measurement of how societies "distribute" or organize sources and applications of power | |||
* "power" may be considered any application of force or coercion or structure that achieves the same | |||
** examples, | |||
** policing = power to enforce laws | |||
** a state religion would create a possibly coercive structure to which members of that society belong | |||
* "narrow distribution" of power = centralized governance | |||
** may include | |||
*** monarchy, tyranny, totatalitarian, etc. | |||
"wide distribution" of power = decentralized governance | |||
** may include: | |||
** democracy, anarchy | |||
* no society is all one or the other | |||
** even anarchy essentially distributes power to the individual level, which may be coercive at that level | |||
** even a totalitarian society may allow for family units which govern themselves or religious freedoms | |||
=== Social organization === | === Social organization === | ||
[[File:Social-organization-chart GunsGermsSteel p268-9 rotated.jpg|right|450px]] | |||
* Jared Diamond analyzed social organization by type and characteristics | * Jared Diamond analyzed social organization by type and characteristics | ||
* it creates a very useful comparative tool | * it creates a very useful comparative tool |