1️⃣ Kinship on Descent Basis vs Alliance Basis | Notion

Below is a UPSC-ready, Notion-compatible comparative answer 👇

(Useful for Sociology Paper I – Kinship, 10–15 markers)

1️⃣ Kinship on Descent Basis vs Alliance Basis

Dimension	Kinship on Descent Basis	Kinship on Alliance Basis
Core Principle	Kinship is traced through blood relations (real or assumed)	Kinship is created through marriage ties
Foundational Unit	Lineage / Clan	Marriage alliance between groups
Key Question	From whom am I descended?	With whom am I allied?
Nature of Relationship	Ascriptive, given by birth	Acquired, created through social contract
Continuity	Emphasizes biological continuity	Emphasizes social reciprocity & exchange
Primary Bond	Parent–child, siblings, ancestors	Husband–wife, affinal relatives
Structural Focus	Vertical (past → present → future)	Horizontal (between groups of same generation)
Social Function	Inheritance, succession, identity	Exchange, integration, solidarity
Typical Rules	Unilineal / Bilineal descent	Exogamy / Endogamy rules
Key Institution	Lineage, Clan	Marriage system
Dominant Societies	Tribal, lineage-based societies	Stratified, complex societies
Stability	Relatively stable	More flexible and strategic

2️⃣ Theoretical Perspectives

🔹 Descent Theory

A.R. Radcliffe-Brown
Meyer Fortes
Society organized around corporate descent groups
Kinship = structure of rights & duties through ancestry

📌 Example:

Nuer lineage system
Indian gotra system (patrilineal)

🔹 Alliance Theory

Claude Lévi-Strauss
Marriage is a system of exchange of women
Kinship = network of alliances between groups