In the pre-colonial period, various political systems existed in different societies around the world, each with its own unique characteristics and governing structures. Some of the most common political systems during this time included acephalous societies, chief systems, institutions of the priest, and centralized systems.
Acephalous societies were characterized by the absence of a centralized political authority or ruler. Instead, power was dispersed among various kinship groups or clans within the society. One example of an acephalous society is the Igbo people of Nigeria, who traditionally operated without a single centralized authority and made decisions through a system of village councils and elders.
Chief systems were another common form of political organization in the pre-colonial period. In these systems, power was vested in a single chief or ruler who held authority over the rest of the society. Chiefs were often hereditary leaders who were responsible for making decisions on behalf of their people. A well-known example of a chief system is the Ashanti Kingdom in present-day Ghana, where a powerful ruler, known as the Asantehene, governed over a large territory and population.
The institution of the priest played a significant role in many pre-colonial societies as well. Priests were often seen as intermediaries between the spiritual and earthly realms, and held considerable influence over religious and political matters. One example of a society where priests played a central role in governance is ancient Egypt, where the pharaoh was considered a divine ruler and served as both a political and religious leader.
Centralized systems were characterized by a strong central government with authority over a large territory and population. These systems often involved a complex bureaucracy and hierarchical structure of power. One notable example of a centralized system in the pre-colonial period is the Inca Empire in South America. The Inca emperor held absolute power over his subjects and territories, and the empire was governed through a network of administrative officials and regional governors.
Overall, the political systems in the pre-colonial period were diverse and varied, reflecting the unique cultural and societal contexts in which they developed. These systems played a crucial role in shaping the governance and organization of societies before the arrival of colonial powers.
References:
Bullock, A., & Peoples, Z. (2016). African Political Systems. In D. Levinson & K. Christensen (Eds.), The Encyclopedia of World History. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Haarmann, U. (2000). Pre-Colonial Africa: An Introductory Survey. Routledge.
Nash, C. (2010). The History of Legal and Political Ideas: From Acephalous Societies to the Axial Age. Peter Lang.
Discuss the following political systems in the pre-colonial period; acephalous, chief system, institution of the priest and centralized systems with valid examples and citation of APA References.
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