The archaeology of politics and power
Subtitle: where, when, and why the first states formed
By: Charles Maisels.
Publisher: Oxbow Books
Published: 2010
Place of publication: Oxford; Oakville
Language: eng
Number of pages: 469
ISBN-13: 9781842173527
Subjects: Social archaeology; Political anthropology; State, The -- History; Power (Social sciences) -- History; Violence -- Political aspects -- History; Civilization, Ancient; Politics and culture -- History; Political culture -- History; Social structure -- History
Description: Archaeology is not just about the past, but the present and future, too. Much of our present condition and future prospects are inevitably bound up with what states do and what they fail to do. To understand the inner-workings and motivations of states one must understand how and why they came into existence in the first place. This book describes how states formed in Egypt and Mesopotamia, China and the Andes, and also how the Indus Civilization functioned without a state. This work spans law, ideology, politics, economics and psychology, the ancient world and modern history, in order to show how power is obtained, sustained and deployed, and in whose interests. Grounded in archaeological data, it examines human nature, morality, violence and governance, issues of special importance to everyone, but in particular to students of Politics, Anthropology, Psychology and Sociology, as well as Archaeology.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references.
Table of contents: title: Preface: Why are NGOs necessary?; title: The science of history; title: On human nature : rhetoric, relativism, and the realities of violence; title: Indus-Sarasvati civilization ("Harappan" civilization); title: The Levant and Mesopotamia; title: Egypt; title: China; title: Andean civilization; title: Politics, culture, and social structure; title: How do states form?; title: Appendix A: The socio-political contract and the lessons of history; title: Appendix B: Science v. ideology; title: Appendix C: Leadership attributes.