Final answer:
Early 20th century anthropologists proposed that witchcraft could function as a basic form of criminal justice, instilling fear and providing a way for individuals to cope with social stress and exert control in more complex societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The socio-political practice which early 20th century anthropologists suggested might act as a rudimentary criminal justice system, provoking fear as a form of social control, is d. Witchcraft. This concept of witchcraft includes the utilization of sorcery and magic, which often manifest in more complex societies. As populations grow and diversification within a population increases, the prevalence and visibility of witchcraft and sorcery also tend to increase. Religion, which can incorporate elements such as magic, witchcraft, and sorcery, evolves alongside the complexity of sociocultural institutions. Larger, more complex societies that witness an increase in numbers and social diversity tend to rely on more institutionalized forms of religion, which can allow individuals to express social conflicts and to exert some sort of social control or seek a feeling of security. This socio-political practice is intertwined with the foundations of trust, reputation, and the handling of conflict within expanding societies.