Pokrewiestwa

Pokrewiestwa is a theoretical concept used in anthropology and political theory to describe social or political orders that are organized primarily around kinship lines. The term appears to be a neologism derived from the Polish word pokrewieństwo (kinship) and a suffix form that yields nouns representing a state, condition, or system. Because it is not a standard term in major dictionaries, its precise meaning can vary by author or context.

Definition and core features: In pokrewiestwa, membership in a kin group confers social status, political influence, and access to resources. Leadership and authority are often mediated through descent, affinity, or alliance within extended families or clans. Patronage networks, ritual legitimacy tied to genealogical rank, and lineage-based dispute resolution are common characteristics. The system may coexist with formal institutions, but real power centers on kin-based authority rather than on impersonal bureaucratic rules.

Usage and context: The concept is mainly used in theoretical discussions about kin-based governance, lineage polities, or clan-state analogies. It is also encountered in fictional or comparative literature as a way to describe societies where kin networks shape political life more than formal institutions. The term is not widely standardized and is often employed as a comparative construct rather than a description of a specific real-world regime.

See also: kinship, relatedness, clan, lineage polity, patrimonial state.