THE 



POPULAR SCIENCE 

 MONTHLY. 



APRIL, 1881. 



THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLITICAL mSTITUTIONS. 



By HEEBEKT SPENCER. 

 VI. POLITICAL HEADS CHIEFS, KINGS, ETC. 



OF the three components of the triune political structure traceable 

 at the outset, we have now to follow the development of the 

 first. Already in the last two chapters something has been said, and 

 more has been implied, respecting that most important differentiation 

 which results in the establishment of a headship. What was there in- 

 dicated under its general aspects has here to be elaborated under its 

 special aspects. 



"When Rink asked the Nicobarians who among them was the 

 chief, they replied, laughing, how could he believe that one could 

 have power against so many ? " I quote this as a reminder that there 

 is at first resistance to the assumption of supremacy by one member 

 of a group a resistance which, though in some ty]3es of men small, 

 is in most considerable, and in a few very great. To instances already 

 given of tribes practically chief-less, may be added, from America, the 

 Haidahs, among whom " the people seemed all equal " ; the Calif or- 

 nian tribes, among whom "each individual does as he likes"; the 

 Navajos, among whom " each is sovereign in his own right as a war- 

 rior " ; and from Asia the Angamies, who " have no recognized head 

 or chief, although they elect a spokesman, who, to all intents and pur- 

 poses, is powerless and irresponsible." 



Such small subordination as rude groups show occurs only when 

 the need for joint action is imperative, and control is required to make 

 it efficient. Instead of recalling before-named examples of temporary 

 chieftainship, I may here give a few others. Of the Lower Califor- 

 nians we read, " In hunting and war they have one or more chiefs to 

 lead them, who are selected only for the occasion." Of the Flatheads' 

 VOL. XVIII. 46 



