Kinship: A Pivotal Role In The Rise And Fall Of States

The old saying goes, “Blood is thicker than water” and in matters of family, men are ready to fight their last battle for their wives and children. Kinship has played a pivotal role in shaping the rise and fall of states. The bond humans have with our kin have brought societies together since the beginning of time. Anthropologist Elman Service defined four levels of political integration- bands, tribes, chiefdoms, and state. As a society’s population grew and territory expanded, the group of kin graduated to the next level. The idea of family and kin have remained throughout the steps of political integration. Along with political implications, family and kin also have economic effects and together, it has shaped how tribes have become civilizations

It is possible for bloody battles to arise and cause the fall of states. The rise of just institutions have helped kinship stay in certain parts of society over others. There are certain limits to kinship according to Robert Bates. Bates stresses the important of deterrence and that it can only work if revenge is seen credible. He says that as a family is getting wealthier, they fall prey to theft and arm themselves for protection. The readiness of a family or society to use violence is more a reason for it to rarely take place. But it is the honor for one’s family that can lead its members to hunt for revenge and commit wrongdoings and soon turn public places into an open arena for warfare. To avoid the costs of hormonal men and private violence, the families will choose to live in poverty rather than consume. In situations like these, opportunity for prosperity for the families is replaced by

The economic and political effects of family can be seen since the hunter-gatherer times till now. Economically, family and kin provide support, serve as an insurance, and invest in other members in hopes of high returns. Families are tied to the land and this consolidation and stability means different members of the family can produce a variety of goods. Marriages and births solidify economic ties and an increasing population means more hands at work. When marriages fall apart and the investment fails to have high returns, we can see families turn against each other to reclaim their wealth and power. Politically, kin have aided in supporting their families in the political hierarchy. A king can rely on his family to stay loyal to him even if his followers do not. Marriages, here as well, serve a higher purpose of maintaining political interests. Families also sought to legitimize their rule with religion and noble families had a goal of pushing their agenda of gaining power forward. The idea of kinship also led to the decline of states. The favoring of family and friends and placing them in positions of power resulted in an inefficient and poorly run political system. These members of the community relaxed knowing they had the backing of the king and refused to make amendments that would risk their position. Moreover, tension among family