Final answer:
Elman Service used the term 'tribal society' to describe decentralized power structures where decisions are made by consensus rather than enforced by formal authority. These societies rely on persuasive power and often use public councils or extended family leadership for organizing community matters.
Step-by-step explanation:
The now-outdated term that anthropologist Elman Service used to refer to a decentralized power structure in which decisions are made by consensus is 'tribal society.' In tribal societies, there is no formal concentration of power, and decisions are made through deliberation and agreement among the community members. Without a formal mechanism for enforcement, leadership relies on persuasive power and the ability to convince others rather than coercion. These societies often see the utilization of public councils or rely on the extended family structures for leadership and decision-making processes. Moreover, these systems of governance are typically found in communities engaged in modes of subsistence such as pastoralism and horticulture.
Service outlined the contrast between tribal societies and centralized societies like chiefdoms and states, where formal leadership roles are present, and authority is more clearly defined and enforced. Centralized societies leverage various forms of power concentrated in formal hereditary roles such as chiefs or kings, who have the authority to collect taxes, enforce commands, and wage war. In comparison, tribal societies operate on a more egalitarian basis, emphasizing cooperation and group consensus to guide social order and resolve conflicts.