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Book Book Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Primitive government
Author:Mair, LucyISNI
Year:1962
Issue:542
Pages:288
Language:English
Series:Pelican books
City of publisher:Harmondsworth
Publisher:Penguin Books
Geographic terms:East Africa
Sudan
Subjects:political systems
traditional polities
Abstract:In the introduction the author explains what she means by primitive, politics, government, tribe, state and law, and then surveys the patterns of settlement and economy of the peoples of East Africa with which she is concerned (Nilotes, Nilo-Hamites and Bantu in Kenya, Tanganyika, Uganda and the Southern Sudan). The purpose of pt 1. 'Government without the state' is 'to see whether the functions of government, or at any rate some of them may not be performed in simple societies even though they do not have the institutions of the state'. There are 4 ch.: Redress of wrongs; Minimal government; Diffused government; The expansion of government. pt 2. 'African states' is a study of how the functions of government are performed among the peoples who have 'governments that can be readily identified as states' (The immigrant rulers; The personnel and functions of government; Kings, chiefs, and peasants; Kings, courts, and princes; Kings and ritual). The subject of pt 3. 'Primitive government and modern times' is: 'What has happened to the primitive systems described ... since they have become subject to foreign overlords with different ideas from their own about the purpose off government'. (Rev. in Africa 1962, p. 399-400; Jl.Local Adm.Overseas 1962, p. 193-194; Africa Report 1962, June, p. 20-21).
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