Study Questions for Jared Diamond, Guns, Germs and Steel, Chapter 14
1) What was the key point (regarding conflict resolution) Diamond made
in relating the story of the Fayu tribes in
2) Describe a) the leadership structures and b) the systems of
tribute/taxation of the various political structures. Be sure to understand
the meaning of "egalitarianism" and how it related to each.
~Band
~Tribe
~Chiefdom
~State
Be sure you read and fully understand the chart on pgs. 268-9.
3) What is a "kleptocracy" and why is it that commoners
sometimes don't rebel against chiefs or heads of state?
4) What is the "most fundamental distinction" of the state,
mentioned on pg. 280?
5) What are the two advantages of centralization, mentioned on pg.
281?
6) Describe the "hydraulic theory" of state formation. Why
is Diamond unhappy with such an explanation?
7) What are three reasons that intensive agriculture led to complex
societies? (pg. 285)
8) Briefly summarize the 4 basic factors that made chiefdom and state
structures "inevitable" among populations with high densities.
9) Do you agree? Can you imagine the
10) What are the two ways in which "amalgamation" (small units
coming together to create bigger and more complex political organizations)
occurs?
11) Give examples of each.
~Cherokee
~Zulu