The Problem of Tribes
Abstract
After presenting several brief case studies the chapter details the intellectual and political contexts in which tribes have been envisioned in Western scholarly and popular accounts. Often seen against the background of contemporary divisive politics, the case is made for avoiding political extensions of the term in order to create a space for the reassessment of what tribes are actually like. It is suggested that the harm done by adhering to outdated theories adversely affects the place of tribes in the current world order and that a more accurate view of tribes can assist in relations between them and the states that surround them.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Anthropological Studies and Insights
Indigenous Cultures and History
Middle East Politics and Society
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Routledge eBooks
- Pages
- 1–20
- Publication date
- 30 January 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter