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Schismogenesis Explains Sociocultural Differences
- "Schismogenesis" describes how societies evolve distinctive opposite social values in opposition to neighboring groups.
- Example: Northwest Pacific tribes value hierarchy and wealth, whereas Northern California groups emphasize modesty and egalitarianism.
Neglect of Myth and Aesthetics
- The book assumes rational political deliberation as essence of humanity but neglects the enduring role of myth and aesthetic values in societal organization.
- Myth provides continuity and shapes what societies aspire to, revealing limits of purely rational political models.
Problematic Enlightenment Critique
- Graber and Wengrow ironically uphold Enlightenment-era biases by devaluing myths and religion in non-Western societies.
- They replicate an orientalist model by depicting indigenous political thought simplistically and implying Western thought lacked democratic ideas pre-contact.