ANT 351 Lecture Notes - Lecture 22: Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Autonomous Communities Of Spain
Conflict and Competition
Concepts and definitions
-An important force for cultural change is conflict and competition between organized
social groups
-Some archaeologists now propose that warfare and raiding are probably the single most
crucial factor in explaining prehistoric patterns of settlement, population growth,
population decline, and other facts of the archaeological record
Warfare and Raiding
-M. Meggitt defined warfare as
o “a state or period of armed hostility existing between politically autonomous
communities, which at such times regard the actions (violent or otherwise) of
their members against the opponents as legitimate expressions of the sovereign
policy of the community.”
- raiding, which is a limited hostile engagement undertaken for some particular tactical
purpose, such as obtaining captives or prisoners, imposing punishment or retaliation, or
taking resources such as food
- Raiding conducted over a prolonged period may inflict as many casualties as a more
intense but shorter duration “war,” so the difference between raiding and warfare is
one of tactics and duration
-ambush, surprise attack, and massacre were also other kind of attacks
Theories of Conflict
-2 opposing theories
oJean Jacques Rousseau 1712-1778 (French philosopher)
Those who believe that societies are basically peaceful and that the
natural intentions of people are inherently good are said to have a
Rousseauian view
oThomas Hobbes 1588-1679 (English philosopher)
Those who believe that humanity is basically brutish unless kept in check
by social institutions are said to have a Hobbesian view
-the natural inclinations of humans (a constant) cannot explain the warfare (a variable)
Scarce Resources
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
An important force for cultural change is conflict and competition between organized social groups. Some archaeologists now propose that warfare and raiding are probably the single most crucial factor in explaining prehistoric patterns of settlement, population growth, population decline, and other facts of the archaeological record. 2 opposing theories: jean jacques rousseau 1712-1778 (french philosopher) Those who believe that societies are basically peaceful and that the natural intentions of people are inherently good are said to have a. Rousseauian view: thomas hobbes 1588-1679 (english philosopher) Those who believe that humanity is basically brutish unless kept in check by social institutions are said to have a hobbesian view the natural inclinations of humans (a constant) cannot explain the warfare (a variable) When population exceeds available resources in a given area, stresses will result. Groups may organize themselves and attack other groups to obtain the resources that they need.
