6. Economic Resources Flashcards
Economics?
How good and services are produced, distributed and consumed in a society
Capitalist system?
An economic system in which the means of production are owned by private companies and corporations that seek to gain the most profit
What does culture shape?
Production
Distribution
Consumption of foods, goods and other resources
Why do anthropologists we economics as a world of decisions?
- What activity to engage in or what product to purchase
- Economic decisions bring the individual some sort of desired value, whatever social, cultural, symbolic or monetary.
Why don’t all actors have the same set of choices?
- Marginalized people don’t have access to the same type of choices
- Therefore, a discussion of economics should also consider access and inequality
The drive of industrialized societies economy?
Profit and wealth:
Choices are guided by maximum profit
Principles of supply and demand:
High supply, low cost/ Low supple, high cost
Production?
The first step in the economic process. Involves using natural or human resources to create items for use
What determines what a society produces?
Available resources and tools
What shapes a society’s modes of production?
Social, cultural, religious and political constraints
What do how the production is organized depend on?
The size of the unit, individual household, corporation
Industrial societies corporation units
Non-industrial societies, household or family units
Locus?
The location or site of something
Division of labor refers to separation of sex-reproductive ability?
Assumptions based on incapabilities of pregnant or nursing women
Exclusively male activities
Swing activities
Predominantly female activities, non were found to be exclusively female
What is sexual division based on?
It’s not universal nor based on biological differences but rather needs on parenting most efficiently
Three models of exchange?
Reciprocity
Redistribution
Market Exchange
Reciprocity?
A set of social rules that guide the specialized sharing of food and other items (gifts)
Generalized reciprocity?
A form of specialized sharing in which the value of a gift is not specified at the time of chance, nor is the time or repayment
More likely to be practiced when the social distance is minimal (friends and family)
Opposite of profit-driven exchange, which focuses on self-interest
Demand sharing? + values of?
The more someone has, the stronger demand for sharing.
Values of egalitarianism and equality
Social capital?
Resources that have value within a particular social group in which exchanges are boúnd by reciprocity and trust
Balanced reciprocity?
A form of exchange in which the value of goods is specified as well as the time frame of repayment
Kula rung?
A system of balanced reciprocity in which gifts circulate among trading partners in Trobri and Island
Prestige economy?
An economic system in which people seek power and status rather than monetary gain
Leveling mechanism?
A social and economic obligation to distribute wealth so no one accumulates more than anyone else
Cargo system?
A political and religious system among the Maya in which members must serve the community in a volunteer position for at least one year: a leveling mechanism
Redistribution?
An economic system in which goods and money will flow into a central source, such as a governmental authority or religious institution
Paying tac and tribute
