ISTITUZIONI E PRATICHE POLITICHE IN TRE VILLAGGI PALESTINESI

Abstract

This article deals with the political institutions and activities of three Palestinian
villages. Central organs have set up village councils (majles) and delegated specific functions to them. But the author finds that the role and operations
of the majtes are closely bound up with the fundamental kinship structures
of the village (the hamúlah). Exchange relations develop between majles and hamúlah, and task and functions are variously handled by either. The assignment of specific authority depends on the nature of the matter, whether
voting or membership is involved, and on the kind of action to be taken. Much current political activity aims at controlling the majles, and the interplay  between majles and hamúlah is constantly changing and subject to many
restrictions.
Because ofthe reluctance to submit to outside authority, villages sometimes
resist the establishment of a majles, for fear that they will not have sufficient
control over it. The study of exchange relations between majles and namúlah
is consequently an important element in determining the actual scope of local political practices and the real extent of institutional action.