Describe political organization and power in stateless societies. Traditionally, how did groups like the Ju/oansi keep peace and order without a formal government?

A stateless society is commonly known as a society without formal government, in other words there is no or little concentration of authority. Stateless societies were a norm in the prehistoric times, but nowdays they only exist in a few numbers.

On the other side, as a political ideal some philosophical theories argue that the state is an enemy to the freedom and that the main goal of every society is to be stateless. These ideal is known as anarchism, with it's different schools of thougts.

In the case of Ju/'hoansi or "! Kung", this society of about 30.000 people who live in the deserts in southern Africa, represents one of the few remaining stateless societies today.

Because of the extreme geographical and climate conditions, this society cannot store food supplies and is forced to constantly move in order to find food. But, in the last 50 years Ju/'hoansi managed to store a surplus which also serves as a way of keeping peace and cohesivenes of the group.

Peace and order is also kept by their beliefs that foster peacefulness, by believing in spirits who interfiere in human lives. Also, conflicts are resolved by conversation and openness, when the both sides in conflict decide to tell each other everything in a rapid manner.

But the base of this society is the willingness to share everything, which is a practice that prevailed for a long time.

Above all this, the ability to move to another area and the flexibility of borders in order to ensure a survival of the group is what keeps order and peace in the group.