essay

Process in administrative and political action

local-level politics : social and cultural perspectivesChicago • Published In 1968 • Pages: 227-241

By: Swartz, Marc J..

Abstract
This is an analysis of two political cases, in which Swartz argues the importance of the public's role in the competition and use of power. According to Swartz, there is no such thing as power without the participation of people, either as the source or object of power. The first case involves the appointment of a local official, whose only local support is the richest person in the village. The latter is able to garner the backing of the district council and national party for his candidate. In the next case, local women defy the threat of sanctions and resist the same official's admonitions to attend literacy classes in a far-off town. The official backs down realizing that his ability to carry out 'nation-building' and hold onto his office, ultimately depends on the compliance of locals in rural development projects.
Subjects
Community heads
Territorial hierarchy
Form and rules of government
External relations
Ethnosociology
culture
Bena
HRAF PubDate
2003
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Eastern Africa
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Ian Skoggard ; 2002
Field Date
1962-1965
Coverage Date
1962-1965
Coverage Place
Njombe District, Iringa Region, Tanzania
Notes
Marc J. Swartz
Includes bibliographical references (p. 241)
LCCN
68019875
LCSH
Bena (African people)