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DISPUTING PROCESS - LAW IN TEN SOCIETIES

NCJ Number
67284
Editor(s)
L NADER, H F TODD
Date Published
1978
Length
392 pages
Annotation
FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN THE POSITION OF LAW IN SOCIETY AS WELL AS FOR THE ANTHROPOLOGIST-SCHOLAR, THIS VOLUME EXPLORES THE MYRIAD HANDLING OF DISPUTE CASES IN 10 SOCIETIES LOCATED AROUND THE WORLD.
Abstract
IN EACH OF THE SOCIETIES STUDIED, DISPUTE SETTLEMENT AND PROCESSING ARE EXAMINED UNDER THE INFLUENCES OF A NETWORK OF SHIFTING SOCIAL RELATIONS. OTHER FACTORS IDENTIFIED ARE THE CONTROL OF SCARCE RESOURCES, THE DISTRIBUTION OF POWER, THE AIMS OF THE PARTICIPANTS, ACCESS TO FORUMS, TIMING, COST, THE CULTURAL DIMENSION, AND THE DEGREE OF INCORPORATION INTO A NATIONAL LEGAL SYSTEM. THE 10 SOCIETIES STUDIED INCLUDE GROUPS THAT HAVE VIRTUALLY NO CONTACT WITH NATIONAL OR STATE LAW, SOCIETIES THAT EXEMPLIFY THE INCREASING INCORPORATION OF STATE LAW INTO THE LOCAL TRADITIONAL SYSTEMS, AND SOCIETIES WITH LITTLE OR NO USE OF THIRD PARTIES IN DISPUTE-RESOLVING PROCESSES. THE SOCIETIES STUDIED ARE THE JALE OF INDONESIAN NEW GUINEA; A SCANDINAVIAN FISHING VILLAGE; URBAN GHANA; SUNNI MUSLIM AND MULTI-RELIGIOUS LEBANESE VILLAGES; AND PEASANT VILLAGES IN BAVARIA, TURKEY, SARDINIA, ZAMBIA, AND MEXICO. AFTER DESCRIBING THE BACKGROUND OF EACH SOCIETY, THE WAYS IN WHICH DISPUTES ARE PROCESSED ARE ANALYZED. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IS INTENDED AS INPUT FOR CROSS-CULTURAL COMPARISON OF DISPUTE PROCESSES. NOTES AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED, ALONG WITH NAME AND SUBJECT INDEXES. FOR INDIVIDUAL ENTRIES, SEE NCJ 67285-92. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--RCB)