From Subsistence to Capitalism in a Latin American Village
Focusing on the interplay between macro- and micro-economic perspectives, this work explores how economic systems are shaped by social and historical contexts. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of individual actions and broader economic structures, providing insights into the underlying factors that influence economic behavior and development.
Focusing on the conceptual framework of kinship, this work challenges conventional views by proposing that kinship systems should be analyzed through the lens of ideas rather than merely empirical relationships. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the underlying concepts that shape social organization, offering a fresh perspective on how kinship influences cultural and social dynamics.
Exploring the interplay between mutuality and impersonal trade, the author examines how competitive trade fosters calculative reasoning in economic discourse. By analyzing diverse contexts from local to global markets, the book reveals how market logic often undermines the mutuality essential for economic stability. It challenges conventional notions of economic welfare and development, offering insights into environmental issues and wealth inequalities. This cross-cultural perspective redefines freedom and proposes strategies to address pressing economic challenges.
The memoir offers a personal glimpse into the formative fieldwork experiences of a leading anthropologist, making the complex world of anthropology accessible to a broader audience. Through engaging narratives, the author shares insights and reflections that highlight the challenges and discoveries encountered during his research, appealing to both aspiring anthropologists and general readers interested in cultural exploration.
Comparative and critical, Anthropology and Economy offers a uniquely cross-cultural view of economy. Using examples from market and non-market situations, the book shows how economies are built on five increasingly abstract spheres, from the house to community, commerce, finance, and meta-finance. Across these spheres, economy incorporates a tension between self-interested rationality and the mutuality of social relationships. Even when rational processes predominate, as in markets, economies rely on sociability and ritual to operate, whether as cronyism, pleas to divinities or the magical persuasions of advertising. Drawing on data and concepts from anthropology and economics, the book addresses wealth inequality, resource depletion, and environmental devastation especially in capitalism, providing an understanding of their persistence and ideas for controlling them. Given the recent financial crash, Gudeman offers a different understanding of the crisis and suggestions for achieving greater economic stability.
Recent, dramatic changes in local and global economies have profoundly affected the lives of millions and have demanded that students of economy rethink their analytical approaches. In The Anthropology of Economy , noted anthropologist Steve Gudeman presents a model and lexicon for thinking about and discussing "things economic."