ABSTRACT
Political relations are those in which persons and groups exercise power or authority for the maintenance of social order within a territory. They are twofold. There are first those relations between a given unit and others, which ensure its unity vis-à-vis other units. These external relations may be seen as essentially antagonistic or competitive, and are likely to be those based upon power devoid of legitimate authority, or at least uncontrolled by any superior authority. They are between structurally equal units (nations, tribes, clans, lineages). And secondly there are those relations internal to the given unit, which ensure the cohesion of its constituent elements and its orderly internal administration. These relations are particularly those of legitimate authority and are usually between units arranged hierarchically (king and subject, clan head and clan member).
