24th Annual Student Research Conference
Patterns of Internal Warfare as Demonstrated in Societal Structure
John R. Topi
Dr. Amber Johnson, Faculty Mentor
Many comparative studies have been conducted on warfare in a general sense. Far fewer studies have been specifically focused on internal, intrasocietal, or civil warfare. The results of these works have been inconsistent. This research coded ethnographic data for ten groups that practice internal warfare, and ten which practice external warfare. The purpose of this study is to discover patterns among societies that practice internal warfare and, in addition, the potential relationship between internal and external warfare. These patterns are mostly found through an examination of social structure, but also are demonstrated through specific information on war. Patrilocality and patrilineality seem to be correlates of internal warfare, while matrilocality is correlated with external warfare. Additionally, this study found that war parties consisting of fewer individuals traveled a shorter distance for warfare, while larger groups traveled greater distances.
Keywords: internal warfare, social structure, fraternal interest groups
Topic(s):Anthropology
Sociology/Anthropology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 9-5
Location: VH 1228
Time: 9:00