Final answer:
The subject in question deals with historical clan and tribe formations, where clan refers to a group of families with a common ancestor, which can unite into tribes and confederations for various reasons such as protection and resource management. These could further evolve into a city-state, an autonomous entity with political and territorial control. Such formations were overseen by a chiefdom combining various forms of authority.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term described in the question pertains to the social and political organization of clans which are typically understood as large kin groups that trace their descent from a common ancestor, sometimes mythical or not remembered.
These clans often shared essential resources and activities such as herding or hunting. When multiple clans joined together, they could form a tribe under a single leader for various reasons such as protection, resource management, and united actions like raids on other clans.
Sometimes tribes would further unite into a confederation, especially under a powerful or charismatic leader, although this unity was often quite fleeting and short-lived, seldom extending beyond a few generations.
In some instances, these confederations could lead to the creation of a city-state, an independent political entity comprising a city and the surrounding territory that it controls. Such political unity could facilitate worship and offer protection within a common meeting place.
Furthermore, city-states would sometimes be governed by a chiefdom, a system where coercive power is used to combine economic, political, judicial, military, and religious authority, often led by a hereditary ruler or chief who could be part of a local chiefly clan.
In this way, ancient political structures were able to maintain order and peace through a balance of consensus decision-making and coercive power when necessary, and at times would depend on peaceful relationships with neighboring societies often established through trade.