Anthropology, Economics, and Choice

Anthropology, Economics, and Choice PDF

Author: Michael Chibnik

Publisher: University of Texas Press

Published: 2011-11-01

Total Pages: 217

ISBN-13: 0292729022

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In the midst of global recession, angry citizens and media pundits often offer simplistic theories about how bad decisions lead to crises. Many economists, however, base their analyses on rational choice theory, which assumes that decisions are made by well-informed, intelligent people who weigh risks, costs, and benefits. Taking a more realistic approach, the field of anthropology carefully looks at the underlying causes of choices at different times and places. Using case studies of choices by farmers, artisans, and bureaucrats drawn from Michael Chibnik's research in Mexico, Peru, Belize, and the United States, Anthropology, Economics, and Choice presents a clear-eyed perspective on human actions and their economic consequences. Five key issues are explored in-depth: choices between paid and unpaid work; ways people deal with risk and uncertainty; how individuals decide whether to cooperate; the extent to which households can be regarded as decision-making units; and the "tragedy of the commons," the theory that social chaos may result from unrestricted access to commonly owned property. Both an accessible primer and an innovative exploration of economic anthropology, this interdisciplinary work brings fresh insight to a timely topic.

Anthropology, Economics, and Choice

Anthropology, Economics, and Choice PDF

Author: Michael Chibnik

Publisher: University of Texas Press

Published: 2011-11-01

Total Pages: 217

ISBN-13: 0292742452

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In the midst of global recession, angry citizens and media pundits often offer simplistic theories about how bad decisions lead to crises. Many economists, however, base their analyses on rational choice theory, which assumes that decisions are made by well-informed, intelligent people who weigh risks, costs, and benefits. Taking a more realistic approach, the field of anthropology carefully looks at the underlying causes of choices at different times and places. Using case studies of choices by farmers, artisans, and bureaucrats drawn from Michael Chibnik's research in Mexico, Peru, Belize, and the United States, Anthropology, Economics, and Choice presents a clear-eyed perspective on human actions and their economic consequences. Five key issues are explored in-depth: choices between paid and unpaid work; ways people deal with risk and uncertainty; how individuals decide whether to cooperate; the extent to which households can be regarded as decision-making units; and the "tragedy of the commons," the theory that social chaos may result from unrestricted access to commonly owned property. Both an accessible primer and an innovative exploration of economic anthropology, this interdisciplinary work brings fresh insight to a timely topic.

A Handbook of Economic Anthropology, Second Edition

A Handbook of Economic Anthropology, Second Edition PDF

Author: James G. Carrier

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

Published: 2012-01-01

Total Pages: 681

ISBN-13: 1849809291

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Acclaim for the first edition: 'The volume is a remarkable contribution to economic anthropology and will no doubt be a fundamental tool for students, scholars, and experts in the sub-discipline.' – Mao Mollona, Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute 'This excellent overview would serve as an excellent text for advanced undergraduate and graduate-level classroom use. . . Because of the clarity, conciseness, and accessibility of the writing, the chapters in this volume likely will be often cited and recommended to those who want the alternative and frequently culturally comparative perspective on economic topics that anthropology provides. Highly recommended. All academic levels/libraries.' – K.F. Rambo, Choice The first edition of this unique Handbook was praised for its substantial and invaluable summary discussions of work by anthropologists on economic processes and issues, on the relationship between economic and non-economic areas of life and on the conceptual orientations that are important among economic anthropologists. This thoroughly revised edition brings those discussions up to date, and includes an important new section exploring ways that leading anthropologists have approached the current economic crisis. Its scope and accessibility make it useful both to those who are interested in a particular topic and to those who want to see the breadth and fruitfulness of an anthropological study of economy. This comprehensive Handbook will strongly appeal to undergraduate and post-graduate students in anthropology, economists interested in social and cultural dimensions of economic life, and alternative approaches to economic life, political economists, political scientists and historians.

Economies and Cultures

Economies and Cultures PDF

Author: Richard R Wilk

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2018-05-04

Total Pages: 252

ISBN-13: 0429974892

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This synthesis of modern economic anthropology goes to the heart of a thriving subdiscipline and identifies the fundamental practical and theoretical problems that give economic anthropology its unique strengths and vision. More than any other anthropological subdiscipline, economic anthropology constantly questions and debates the practical motives of people as they go about their daily lives. Tracing the history of the dialogue between anthropology and economics, the authors move economic anthropology beyond the narrow concerns of earlier debates and place the field directly at the centre of current issues in the social sciences. They focus on the unique strengths of economic anthropology as a meeting place for symbolic and materialist approaches and for understanding human beings as both practical and cultural. In so doing, the authors argue for the wider relevance of economic anthropology to applied anthropology and identify other avenues for interaction with economics, sociology, and other social and behavioural sciences. The second edition of Economies and Cultures contains an entirely new chapter on gifts and exchange that critically approaches the new literature in this area, as well as a thoroughly updated bibliography and guide for students for finding case studies in economic anthropology.

Theory in Economic Anthropology

Theory in Economic Anthropology PDF

Author: Jean Ensminger

Publisher: Rowman Altamira

Published: 2002

Total Pages: 340

ISBN-13: 9780759102064

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This new volume from the Society for Economic Anthropology examines the unique contributions of anthropologists to general economic theory. The authors challenge our understanding of human economies in the expanding global systems of interaction, with models and analyses from cross-cultural research. The book will be a valuable resource for anthropologists, economists, economic historians, political economists, and economic development specialists.

Economic Anthropology

Economic Anthropology PDF

Author: Chris Hann

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2018-06-11

Total Pages: 208

ISBN-13: 0745699391

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This book is a new introduction to the history and practice of economic anthropology by two leading authors in the field. They show that anthropologists have contributed to understanding the three great questions of modern economic history: development, socialism and one-world capitalism. In doing so, they connect economic anthropology to its roots in Western philosophy, social theory and world history. Up to the Second World War anthropologists tried and failed to interest economists in their exotic findings. They then launched a vigorous debate over whether an approach taken from economics was appropriate to the study of non-industrial economies. Since the 1970s, they have developed a critique of capitalism based on studying it at home as well as abroad. The authors aim to rejuvenate economic anthropology as a humanistic project at a time when the global financial crisis has undermined confidence in free market economics. They argue for the continued relevance of predecessors such as Marcel Mauss and Karl Polanyi, while offering an incisive review of recent work in this field. Economic Anthropology is an excellent introduction for social science students at all levels, and it presents general readers with a challenging perspective on the world economy today. Selected by Choice as a 2013 Outstanding Academic Title

Relational Anthropology for Contemporary Economics

Relational Anthropology for Contemporary Economics PDF

Author: Jermo van Nes

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2022

Total Pages: 228

ISBN-13: 3030846903

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This open access book offers a multidisciplinary dialogue on relational anthropology in contemporary economics. A particular view of the human being is often assumed in economic models, but seldom acknowledged let alone explicated. Addressing this neglected area of research in economic studies, altogether the contributors touch upon the importance and potential of virtues, the notions of freedom and self-love, the potential of simulation models, the dialectics of love, and questions of methodology in constructing a relational anthropology for contemporary economics. The overall result is a highly informative and constructive dialogue, establishing inter alia a research agenda for future collaborative and multidisciplinary study.

Choice in Economic Contexts

Choice in Economic Contexts PDF

Author: Donald Wood

Publisher: JAI Press Incorporated

Published: 2006-11-09

Total Pages: 304

ISBN-13: 9780762313754

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Part of the "Research in Economic Anthropology" series, this work contains 12 original papers, nine empirical ethnographic studies and three theoretical essays - all linked by a common concern with economic choice in various social and cultural situations.

Themes in Economic Anthropology

Themes in Economic Anthropology PDF

Author: Raymond Firth

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 1967

Total Pages: 292

ISBN-13: 9780422725408

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Includes contributions; R.W. Firth - Themes in economic anthropology; a general comment; L. Joy One economists view of the relationship between economics and anthropology; R. Frankenberg Economic anthropology; one anthropologists view; P.S. Cohen - Economic analysis and economic man; some comments on a controversy; M. Douglas Primitive rationing; a study in controlled exchange; F. Barth - Economic spheres in Darfur; L. Joy An economic homologue of Barths presentation of economic spheres in Darfur; S. Ortiz - The structure of decision making among Indians of Colombia; S. Epstein - Productive efficiency and customary systems of rewards in rural south India; L. Baric - Traditional groups and new economic opportunities in rural Yugoslavia; material derived from A.S.A. sponsored conference on economic anthropology held at Oxford, June 1965.

Economics and Morality

Economics and Morality PDF

Author: Society for Economic Anthropology (U.S.). Meeting

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Published: 2009

Total Pages: 296

ISBN-13: 9780759112025

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In Economics and Morality, the authors seek to illuminate the multiple kinds of analyses relating morality and economic behavior in particular kinds of economic systems.