The Politics of Adoption (2nd ed.)

Adoption has always had a political dimension. Its use to achieve political ends has been evident throughout history and in many different cultures. In Roman times, an emperor would adopt a successful general to 1 continue his rule. In Ireland, under the Brehon Laws, the reciprocal placements of 2 children between clans was an accepted means of cementing mutual allegiances. In Japan, the adoption of non-relatives was traditionally seen as a means of allying 3 with the fortunes of the ruling fami