Economies and their modes of production Flashcards
economic anthropology
subfield of cultural anthropology that studies economic systems cross-culturally
economic system
- production (making goods/money)
- consumption (using up goods/money)
- exchange (transfer of goods/money)
mode of production
dominant way of making a living in a culture
difference between cultural anthropology and economics
entire ways of people making a living, different methods (fieldwork, participant observation, quantitive/qualitative data) gather emic data
economic systems research
rich set of knowledge on diverse ways of making a living. categories=modes
modes of production
not only type of production, be involved in more than one, they blend/overlap, some cultures make not fit within only one mode. no correlation between types and superiority of mode
globalization
world economy. local systems are linked
intensification of global trade
global division of labour (world economy) countries compete unequally for a share of wealth
modern world economy
core (1st world countries) periphery
(2,3,4,5 world countries) and zemiperiphery (middle). linked systems, constant flow.
core
most profitable activities (high-tech service, manufacturing, financial activities) advanced, strongest government, dominant
periphery
least-profitable actives, production of raw materials, foodstuff, labour-intensive, gods, import high-tech goods and services from core. weak governments, dominate by core, disadvantaged
foraging
using food available in nature (fishing, gathering, hunting) predominant mode of production. 90% oh humans, danger of extinction (pure form) no gardens, no domesticated animals. sustainable system- untouched by outside influences, abundant land available
extensive strategy
production involving temporary use of large areas of land, high degree of spatial mobility. sustainable, regenerated. obtaining/processing foods, not extensive
division of labour
gender,age. meat-masculinity. elderly people-caring children, stay at camp. young children-help collect food. circumpolar foragers gender- no overlap. Abolish- man the hunter model
property relations
.
private property
not found in foraging societies. equal rights
use rights
invested in collective group, passed down equally to all children, members of group. property relations in which or person or group has socially recognized priority in access to particular resources (gathering, hunting, fishing) - shared with others with permission
encroaching on someones area
serious misdemeanour = violence
sustainable
crucial resources are regenerated over time in demand that population makes on them
sustainability of foraging
not pathetic or inadequate. foragers’ needs are modest. original affluent society- needs satisfied with minimal labour efforts
adaptation to seasonal fluctuations in food supply
minimize food intake during times one plenty, thinness
minimal labour efforts
satisfy needs for goods, affluent, less work time, more leisure time, storytelling, games ,resting, good health
horticulture (shifting cultivation)
sustainable system. Production based on cultivating domesticated plans in gardens using hand tools. Shifting cultivation, extensive strategy, more labour intensive. domestication of of plants and animals, crops, hand gardens with tools no human systems. Changes in plants and animals leads to greater control by humans in terms of location and reproduction. crops rotated land must fallow. produce profits=consumer goods. less population growth, government pressure. great wealth, foundation for complex and rich civilizations.
Stages in horticulture
clearing- cleared, are on fire=fertilizer
planting- loosen soil, place seeds
weeding- little weeding
harvesting- substantial labour to cut and dig crops and bring them to residential population density low
fallowing- unused for number of years= regains fertility
division of labour-horticulture
gender and age. specific roles. prestige foods cultivate prestige crops. men-clear garden, hunting and fishing, clearing and cultivating. women- food processing, plant, tend to cultivate staple crops, stable food. men higher public status than women. children active engaged, origins of different division of labour have implications for mens and women status.
women’s contribution to food production- horticulture
necessary but not sufficient for high status. do not contribute to producing= low status if they do contribute to producing=may or may not have high status
control over production
public distribution beyond the family= no control over product and distribution
children
more productive work than any other modes of production, fulfills what would be adult roles in other economic systems
property relations
use rights are important, more clearly defined and formalized. surplus goods- social inequality rules about sharing with larger group decline in importance (higher status)
fallowing
.
pastoralism
based on domestication of animal herds and use of their products (meat, milk) for atleast half (most) of their diet. trade links with foragers, horticulturalists, farmers to obtain food and goods they can’t obtain themselves. more where pasture is. many animal products. movement of animals to pasture. economy, ecology, political organization are linked within environment well endowed with resources and setter communities
ranching
moves fodder to animals, provide meat for sale
problem for pastoralism
continued need too fresh pasture for animals. extensive form of economic adaption
long-distance herding
vulnerable to raids, require negotiation with settlements for permission to cross lands. develop confederacy of tribes into centralized political organization for protection
division of labour- pastoralism
families (basic unit of production), cluster of families. gender age. little overlap. stable value on mobility. social equality is common norm. gender- clearly divided, men-herding, women-processing. culture emphasis on masculinity
size of animals- pastoralism
girls-smaller animals graze less widely, penned near house
boys- pastured farther away
children important helping roles in tending herds
property relations- pastoralism
- animals
2. housing and domestic goods (their own0
private property of animals
family head can trade for other goods
use rights
regulate pasture land and migratory routes, informal regulated through oral tradition