chapter 7 Flashcards

1
Q

economics

A

the academic discipline that studies systems of production, distribution, and consumption typically in the industrialized world.

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2
Q

why is economics important

A

allocation of resources is necessary for human survival

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3
Q

classic economic theory assumption

A
  1. equilibrium can be reached

2. individuals will always try to maximize profits

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4
Q

economic anthropology

A

goes beyond supply and demand and the maximization of profits. It is cultural comparisons of processes of production, distribution, and consumption

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5
Q

anthropological approach to economics

A
  1. cultural and social context f in which people act
  2. social and kinship relationships
  3. ideas and attitudes that shape economic behaviour
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6
Q

Karl Polanyi

A

economic anthropologist who divided economics into 3 types of modes of distribution

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7
Q

Polanyi 3 types of economic distribution

A
  1. Reciprocity- return of a gift
  2. Redistribution- collection from members of a group ad then redistribution within this group
  3. Market- money and profits
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8
Q

society’s economy consists of 3 things

A

production, distribution/exchange, consumption

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9
Q

Production

A

process of obtaining resources from the natural environment and turning them into goods

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10
Q

exchange

A

the act of giving or taking one thing in return for another

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11
Q

importance of exchange

A

exchange establishes and maintains social relationships

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12
Q

units of production non/industrialized societies

A

non-industrialized- households

industrialized- private firms

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13
Q

division of labour

A

the assignment of day-to-day tasks to the various members of a society

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14
Q

labour specialization

A

the extent to which productive activities are divided among the members of a society

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15
Q

subsistence strategy

A

the pattern a society uses to obtain food

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16
Q

5 food procurement categories

A
  1. foraging- hunting-gathering
  2. horticulture- small-scale cultivation
  3. Pastoralism- breeding and caring for animals
  4. intensive agriculture- complex form of agriculture, animal herding
  5. industrial agriculture- relies on complex machinery
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17
Q

gift giving is associated with

A

class, social mobility, matrimony, patronage, employment, manufacturing processes, issues of style, conventions of gift-giving

18
Q

gift exchange vs. market laws

A

gift exchange is not a process that goes along with market laws, but with social rules of power, etiquette, status..

19
Q

Marcel Mauss

A

anthropologist who talks about gifts

20
Q

3 obligations of gifts

A

to give, receive, and reciprocate

21
Q

Rules of gift giving

A
  1. obligations are kept because both sides benefit from giving and receiving
  2. it takes place between not individuals but groups of people
22
Q

the principle of reciprocity

A
  1. equivalent return is expected. Society is created by endless exchange of in which everyone pursues their own advantage.
  2. equaling an unequal relationship is what maintains the system
  3. its a material transaction
  4. nature of the relationship governs the type of exchange
23
Q

Generalized Reciprocity

A

gift giving without expecting a gift in return- considered the most moral sort of gift giving

24
Q

balanced reciprocity

A

the practice of gift giving with the expectation that a similar gift will be reciprocated after a period of time.

25
Q

negative reciprocity

A

form of exchange between equals in which the parties attempt to take advantage of each other/get the better deal i.e bargaining

26
Q

Marshal Sahlins

A

anthropologist who contributed to principles of reciprocity

27
Q

Kula Ring

A

inter-island system of exchange of ritual objects

- ritual objects are a temporary symbol of prestige

28
Q

Redistribution

A

mode of distribution in which members of a group give their goods to a central authority and the authority redistributes the goods back to the people

29
Q

effects of redistribution

A
  • maintains power, superior status
  • maintains a standard of living
  • use wealth to leverage power
30
Q

chiefly redistribution or tribute

A

goods given to the chief as the peoples allegations and the chief redistributes this in the form of a feast.

31
Q

Potlatch

A

a gift-giving ceremony among first nations. Serves as a symbol of status and distribution of goods

32
Q

market exchange

A

mode of distribution in which goods are bought and sold, value is determined by supply and demand

33
Q

principles of market exchange

A
  1. value is present by impersonal market forces

2. exchange is independent of social relations

34
Q

informal economy

A

exchanges unregulated by formal institutions i.e illegal exchanges

35
Q

Money

A

a generally accepted medium of exchange that acts as a standard of value.

36
Q

characteristics of foragers

A
  • gathering, hunting, fishing
  • survive in an environment not suitable for food production
  • 30-50 people
  • no ties to any particular piece of land
  • emphasis on sharing stuff
  • informal leadership/egalitarian, minor distinctions in status
  • individual possessions is not emphasized
  • not specialization
37
Q

characteristics of horticulture

A
  • slash-and-burn agriculture
  • land cultivation, not tied to the land
  • relatively settled
  • women are the main producers
38
Q

Characteristics of pastoralists

A
  • nomadic
  • diet: blood and milk
  • all members of pastoralists follow the herds
39
Q

Transhumance

A

seasonal movement of animals between upland and lowland pastures

40
Q

Characteristics of agriculture

A
  • intense cultivation of the land
  • domesticated animals used for labour
  • irrigation systems
41
Q

costs and benefits of agriculture

A
  • costs: more labour,

- benefits: long-term stable production=population increase

42
Q

cultural structures vs survival culture

A

the more situated, and stable the survival culture the more complex the social structures and institutions and the less egalitarian they become and vise versa