Pravna država i kulturne norme. Antropološka interpretacija političkih fenomena u sredozemnim državama
Legal State and Cultural Norms. Anthropological Interpretation of Political Phenomena in Mediterranean Societies

Summary/Abstract: The paper focuses on the relevance of the anthropological approach in the study of political phenomena. Conceiving politics as the instrument of particularistic interests the author explains the negative attitude of Mediterranean societies vis-ä-vis the state and the aversion of the population towards local authorities. State rules and law representing justice are often treated as injustice. Administration and government are handled as a "kleptokracy". The confrontation and the ambivalence between legality and legitimacy arc constantly present. The gulf between legitimacy and legitimity is interpreted as the result of "collective memory", namely as a consequence of the still valid perception of a negative historical destiny shared by several Mediterranean societies. In his final remarks the author discusses the problems and chances for political-anthropological research in Mediterranean societies.

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