Christopher Boehm Has Hypothesized That the Lack of Political Domination

question 53

Multiple Choice

Christopher Boehm has hypothesized that the lack of political domination and power in band level societies is due to what he calls "reverse dominance." Reverse dominance ensures that the whole group will prevent a single individual from being politically dominant or exercising undue coercive powers. Reverse dominance is practiced through criticism, ridicule, disobedience, and outright abandonment or deposition of the dominating leader. This reverse political process:

• A) causes bands to be unstable political units that often fission without warning
• B) reinforces patterns of egalitarianism intrinsic to band level societies
• C) makes it impossible for a band leader to make any changes that might benefit the group, making band societies static and unchanging cultural entities
• D) makes it extremely difficult for these bands to find anyone who will assume a leadership role, and bands are often without leaders for years

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