This paper offers an interpretation of the concept of social structure in the context of a theory of models, construed as mental structures, conscious or unconscious. Operational and representational models are attributed to members of the society studied, explanatory models to the anthropologists studying them. The social structure is found to have an objective reality but at the same time to be dependent on the existence of the models. And in this it seems to exhibit a general property of objects of the social sciences.
As part of their state legislative research project, Professors Wahlke, Eulau, Buchanan, and Ferguson subjected Edmund Burke's classical phrasing of the dilemma of representation to an empirical examination. Burke postulated the style of representation in terms of either-or: the legislator is either a mere spokesman for his constituents or he represents them as he believes best. The 4-state survey findings did not bear Burke out; rather, they disclosed a trichotomy, three major representational role types, with a classification of "Politico" appearing along with "Delegate" and "Trustee." The Politico expresses an overlap of both orientations, so that representative types can be conceived of along a continuum, rather than constituting two polar positions, with the Politico placed toward the mid-point. In numerical frequency, as well, the Politico type was also found to fall between the other two. Left to be determined is the universality of the 4-state formulation of representational roles.Over the last decade I have periodically observed the evolution of legislatures functioning in the American-administered regions of the Pacific. Here are to be found a number of under-developed societies, or to employ a more informative description, distinctive cultures in transitional status adapting introduced political forms to customary political practices. These traditional practices are fundamentally premised upon the resolving of differences through the reaching of consensus for taking political action.
THIS ARTICLE ATTEMPTS TO MEASURE THE IMPORTANCE OF LEGISLATORS' REPRESENTATIONAL ROLE IN VOTING BEHAVIOR BY DIFFERENTIATING THE SALIENCE TO CONSTITVENTS OF THE ISSUE VOTED ON. THE AUTHORS FOUND THAT ON ISSUES ON WHICH CONSTITUTENT OPINION WAS HIGHLY SALIENT DELEGATES REFLECTED THEIR REPRESENTATIONAL ROLE, WHICH ON AN ISSUE OF MINIMAL SALIENCE, THE OPPOSITE WAS TRUE.
The graphic representations of the central Australian Walbiri and supplementary comparative data are used to explore the general thesis that categorical analysis can be applied to representational systems. Certain features of the meaning ranges of typical Walbiri elements are examined and compared with those of pictorial elements from other systems. It is suggested that Walbiri tolemic designs, consisting of combinations of these elements, can function to classify tolemic species by dissecting and reassembling them in a manner similar to that described by Lévi‐Strauss for other cultural systems.
