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PT
there is a large element of insecurity of status w
is
due both to the intermediary position of certain leaders,
an well an to the lack of a strong and firm conception of
local secular leadership - real support of leadership lies
predominantly in the sphere of opposition and defense,
rather than in positive administrative roles. It in not,
I think, far-fetched, to assume that the traditional
conception of authority has to coma extent persisted, at
least in the older generation: the past circumstances
of ühaarayin were euch as to foster its persistenc©,
insofar as the Yemenis occupied a low social and economic
status, and were somewhat dependent on external sources
for many services end for their livelihood; the notion
that all genuine authority e anatoS from outside dies hard
in
such circumstances.
The Problem of Testing }the Ttynotheses.
I stated in the first chaptor that I did not consider
this thesis to constitute a rigorous test of the hypotheses
presented; and I must, in conclusions reiterate the view
thct I have done little more than offer an interpretation,
in the lieht of anthropological and sociological ideas.
I do not hold with-the view that more rigorous tests
are, by the nature of our discipline, inpoosibl© to obtain;
though I do not wish to make the dubious assertion that
precision, of the kind to bo'found'in the natural sciences,
can be obtained, though I 'would urfle that it be sought,