File:The history of mankind (1896) (14760745871).jpg

Identifier: historyofmankind01ratz (find matches)
Title: The history of mankind
Year: 1896 (1890s)
Authors: Ratzel, Friedrich, 1844-1904 Butler, Arthur John, 1844-1910
Subjects: Ethnology Anthropology
Publisher: London, Macmillan and co., ltd. New York, The Macmillan co.
Contributing Library: Wellesley College Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Wellesley College Library

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ground of quarrels is to be found in the complicated feudalrelations. Connected with this is the fact that in kingdoms so small as these allpersonal relations are thought more of than would be the case in larger states, towhich further importance is given by the manner in which social ties areindebted for their vitality to the half monarchical, half oligocratic constitution,so that the dissolution of personal relations must also, as observed by Semper,relax the political relation of states to each other. It is in the nature of thesepeople neither to break wholly with each other nor to unite with each otherfrankly. What prevails is neither open war nor undoubted peace ; small causes aresufficient to evoke a tendency in one or the other direction. In Polynesia war is conducted with formalities no less strict than those whichgovern peaceful intercourse, and within their limits it often proceeds in a fairlyharmless manner. As a chronic evil it became converted into a settled institution.
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Printed by the Bibliographisches Institut. Leipzig AN AUSTRALIAN FAMILY-PARTY FROM NEW SOUTH WALES. THE FAMILY AND THE STATE IN OCEANIA 295 Head-stealing is partly the object, partly the symbol of warfare. It can neverdegenerate into aimless murder ; and it is rarely that more than one man is killed.Both sides know quite well what is taking place, and cunning on one side is metby precaution and indefatigable vigilance on the other. This kind of warfare isrecognised by the Micronesians as a chief institution of their political life, for thefurther reason that it is essential to the provision of means for meeting state-expenditure. The head chief pays with his own money. He has considerableoutgoings at his accession, and must defray those of all the muzs, ruks, and otherfestivities. But the country pays no taxes, and the expenses must be met somehow.That is the use of the war-dance. The head chief travels through friendly districtswith a head which his warriors have secured, executes th

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