Negara

"Negara" by Clifford Geertz is a landmark work in cultural anthropology that explores the complex interplay between politics, ritual, and culture in traditional Balinese society. Drawing on his extensive fieldwork in Bali, Geertz provides a detailed and nuanced analysis of the classical Balinese state, known as the "Negara," where political power was deeply intertwined with religious and ceremonial life.

Geertz's study focuses on the symbolic dimensions of Balinese statecraft, arguing that the Negara was less about centralized political control and more about the performance of elaborate rituals that symbolized the cosmic order. Through this lens, Geertz sheds light on how the Balinese rulers maintained their authority and social cohesion through a shared cultural framework rooted in symbolism and ritual.

"Negara" is considered one of Geertz’s most significant contributions to anthropology, offering readers a rich understanding of Balinese political organization and the role of culture in shaping the social and political life of a community. This book is essential reading for students, scholars, and anyone interested in Southeast Asian studies, anthropology, or the cultural dynamics of traditional societies.

Key Features:

1. Symbolic Anthropology: "Negara" is a pioneering work in symbolic anthropology, where Clifford Geertz explores how culture and symbolism shape political structures and social organization in Bali.
   
2. Balinese Statecraft: The book provides an in-depth analysis of the classical Balinese state, focusing on its unique blend of politics, ritual, and religion.
   
3. Cultural Analysis: Geertz’s study offers a deep cultural analysis of Bali, emphasizing the importance of ritual and symbolism in maintaining social order and political authority.
   
4. Ethnographic Insight: Based on extensive fieldwork, "Negara" offers rich ethnographic insights into the daily life, ceremonies, and cultural practices of the Balinese people.
   
5. Political Organization: The book explores the concept of the "Negara" as a form of political organization that differs significantly from Western models of governance, highlighting the cultural specificity of Balinese statecraft.
   
6. Influence on Anthropology: "Negara" is widely regarded as a seminal work in anthropology, influencing subsequent studies of Southeast Asian societies and the role of symbolism in politics.
   
7. Detailed Case Studies: Geertz uses detailed case studies to illustrate his arguments, providing readers with concrete examples of how Balinese rulers enacted their authority through ritual and performance.
   
8. Southeast Asian Studies: This book is a key text for anyone studying Southeast Asia, offering valuable insights into the region’s cultural and political history.
   
9. Clifford Geertz’s Legacy: As one of the most influential anthropologists of the 20th century, Clifford Geertz’s work in "Negara" continues to be a reference point for scholars of culture and politics.
   
10. Interdisciplinary Appeal: "Negara" appeals to a wide range of readers, from anthropologists and historians to those interested in religious studies, political science, and cultural studies.
    

Explore the intricate world of traditional Balinese statecraft with "Negara" by Clifford Geertz. This profound and insightful study reveals how culture, ritual, and symbolism were integral to the political life of Bali, offering a unique perspective on the intersection of power and culture. Whether you are a student, scholar, or enthusiast of Southeast Asian culture, "Negara" provides a compelling and thought-provoking read.

Description:

Combining great learning, interpretative originality, analytical sensitivity, and a charismatic prose style, Clifford Geertz has produced a lasting body of work with influence throughout the humanities and social sciences, and remains the foremost anthropologist in America. His 1980 book Negara analyzed the social organization of Bali before it was colonized by the Dutch in 1906. Here Geertz applied his widely influential method of cultural interpretation to the myths, ceremonies, rituals, and symbols of a precolonial state. He found that the nineteenth-century Balinese state defied easy conceptualization by the familiar models of political theory and the standard Western approaches to understanding politics. Negara means "country" or "seat of political authority" in Indonesian. In Bali Geertz found negara to be a "theatre state," governed by rituals and symbols rather than by force. The Balinese state did not specialize in tyranny, conquest, or effective administration. Instead, it emphasized spectacle.
The elaborate ceremonies and productions the state created were "not means to political ends: they were the ends themselves, they were what the state was for...Power served pomp, not pomp power." Geertz argued more forcefully in Negara than in any of his other books for the fundamental importance of the culture of politics to a society. Much of Geertz's previous work--including his world-famous essay on the Balinese cockfight--can be seen as leading up to the full portrait of the "poetics of power" that Negara so vividly depicts.