What are the differences between bands, tribes, chiefdoms, confederacies and states?

Question

What are the differences between bands, tribes, chiefdoms, confederacies and states?

Answer 1

A band society is the simplest form of human society. A band generally consists of a small kin group, no larger than an extended family or clan. Bands have very informal leadership; the older members of the band generally are looked to for guidance and advice, but there are no written laws and none of the coercion, e.g., police, seen typically in more complex societies. Bands' customs are almost always transmitted orally. Formal social institutions are few or non-existent. Religion is generally based on family tradition, individual experience, or counsel from a shaman. All known band societies hunt and gather to obtain their food

In common modern understanding the word tribe means a

social division within a traditional society consisting of a group of interlinked families or communities sharing a common culture and dialect. In the contemporary western mind the modern tribe is typically associated with a seat of traditional authority (tribal leader) with whom the representatives of external powers interact.

A chiefdom is any community led by an individual known as a chief

A confederation is an association of sovereign states or communities, usually created by treaty but often later adopting a common constitution. Confederations tend to be established for dealing with critical issues, such as defense, foreign affairs, foreign trade, and a common currency, with the central government being required to provide support for all members. A confederation, in modern political terms, is usually limited to a permanent union of sovereign states for common action in relation to other states

state is a political association with effective dominion over a geographic area. It usually includes the set of institutions that claim the authority to make the rules that govern the people of the society in that territory, though its status as a state often depends in part on being recognized by a number of other states as having internal and external sovereignty over it. In sociology, the state is normally identified with these institutions: in Max Weber's influential definition, it is that organization that has a "monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force within a given territory," which may include the armed forces, civil service or state bureaucracy, courts, and police

Answer 2

Leadership and size mostly. Bands have no real leader, but they may have people who are looked up to. They are always small, maybe 200 people.

Tribes are groups of bands that come together and have leaders that are usually elders of some sort. They do not have absolute power though.

Chiefdom's tend to be fairly large containing thousands of people. Their is a recognized chief or leader. It is usually a "dictatorship" as the chief has absolute power. Many times he is worshiped as a god.

I believe that is correct.