ABSTRACT
M y purpose here is b r i e f ly to review an th ropo log ica l studies o f government and po l i t i c s , t o i d e n t i f y the m a i n interests o f an thro pologists i n this f i e ld , t o say someth ing about the i r methods and conceptua l schemes, and to indicate some problems and findings o f these inquir ies . F o r this expos i t i on i t is convenient t o adopt a h i s tor ica l approach. I n conc lus ion I shall i l lus t ra te the cur ren t p o s i t i o n b y discussing t w o examples.
