Suchergebnisse

An introductory statement points out the cultural environment of compromise in `illiterate' or `primitive' as opposed to `literate' or modern societies. Primitive societies: (1) give more importance to kinship, (2) mingle unconnected depts of life ('primitive fusion'), (3) use PO in the form of ostracism as a `major deterrent' to misconduct, (4) are characterized by small communities of primary groups, & (5) express 'indifference to abstract justice,' being concerned with preserving the soc order. Principle sources of primitive internal soc dissension (examples are taken from various primitive cultures - Ifugao, Dogon, Yurok, Tallensi, Hop, Crow, Cheyenne - & soc therapeutic methods combating disturbance are described for each) are: (A) Witchcraft - rarely leads to compromise. 'Fear of witchcraft checks unethical behavior, thus functioning as an agency for soc control.' (B) Homicide - compromise was effected through conciliatory payments by the murderer's kin. In many cases there were related procedures of mediation & `accommodation.' (C) Property - compromise constituted 'restitution of objects misappropriated,' & in some cases added `penal payments.' (D) Insult to prestige. (E) Domestic relations, & (F) Ideological conflicts - are quite rare & result from soc change (many times introduced by contact with complex civilization). In conclusion, the `insistence on unanimity' is the important primitive control over dissension. Although 'they perceive only dimly the importance of a solidarity transcending that of the immediate kin, ' consensus ('surrender of individual claims & prerogatives') is the 'essence of compromise. (See also SA 2143-B0693 & -B0694). P. D. Montagna.