Cultural Dynamics

Primary state formation is when a first-generation state evolves in a context of pre-existing non-state societies. A dynamic model of this process is developed, drawing upon concepts from evolutionary anthropology and archaeology, as well as from evolutionary ecology, systems theory, and complexity theory. Differential equations are used to model: (1) the dynamics of political growth in chiefdoms (societies with centralized but not internally specialized authority); and (2) the formation of states (societies with centralized and also internally specialized authority). A major conclusion of the exercise is that the emergence of a primary state is likely to be accompanied by a considerable expansion in the political-economic (sustaining) territory of the polity.

This essay presupposes that the recent Western scientific interest in play as a phenomenon and as a metaphor is characteristic of the way in which contemporary (post)modern culture sees itself: as a game without an overall aim, as play without a transcendent destination but not without the practical necessity of rules agreed upon and of (inter)subjective imagination; as a complex of games each one having its own framework, its own rules, risks, chances, and charms. The essay tries to demonstrate from a socio-cultural point of view how this recent self-image of (post)modern culture can be interpreted as the outcome of a long development. It does so in order to reconstruct and clarify, against this background, the historically changing scientific interest in, and the gradual formation of, the concept of play as a phenomenon and as a metaphor.

This paper relies upon the analysis of metaphor and upon phenomenology in an attempt to understand how non-situated experience can become place-like, focusing on the Internet and its metaphorical extension, cyberspace. The paper explores deep, language-based connections between the experience of both material and immaterial places. After demonstrating that the concepts 'place' and 'site' are not synonymous, the paper highlights key events in the history of computing as points of departure for considering how a computer network became cyberspace. Concepts from phenomenology are used to show how the contingent structure of cyberspace made it possible for places to become found within it. The paper also shows how the notion of place thus elaborated may be applied to material places.

Despite the controversial choice of title, and its accompanying risk of homogenizing a complex phenomenon, this article argues that, in their book, Muslim Politics, Eickelman and Piscatori have managed to present the complexity and diversity of the issues involved in a lucid and elaborate manner. Each chapter of the book is reviewed in terms of the strengths of its main arguments and the main indicators used—such as family, religious actors and the state. This article also argues that, by avoiding the usual dichotomies of social analysis, the authors have clearly captured various moments of interaction. By combining the complex web of local and international actors, Muslim Politics has illuminated in a comprehensive and eloquent manner many of the specificities of the various situations inherent in politics in general, and in Muslim politics in particular.