Economy Flashcards
Focuses of economics
- production
- distribution
- consumption
Economics
The study of how reseoruces are produced, distributed, and consumed
Anthropological approaches to study of ecomics
- Substantive Approach
- Formalist approach
Sustantivist approach
Economic anthropologist that believe the classical, western approach to economic principles cannot be applied to nonindustrialized cultures
Formalists
Economic anthropologists that suggest the ideas of western econmics can be applied to any economic situation
Economic dimensions
- Regulation of resources : how land, waster and natural resources are controlled and allocated
- Production: How material resources are converted into usable commodities
- Exchange: how commodities are distributed among people of the society
Allocation of natural resources by H&G
- In most H&G socieites, land is not owned in Western sense
- Often have flexible borders (adaptive)
- General rules:
- Flexible boundaries if prey mobile and food or water supplies unpredictable
- more permanent settlements and more control over land if resouces are plentiful and predictable
Economics for Pastorlists
- Two vital resources required: water and pasturage
- some form of agreement or contract must be arranged with others to use same land
Economics of Horticulturalists
- Tend to live on communally controlled land
- usually controlled by extended family
- individual rights are limited
Economics for the Matai
Elected familiy member who holds title to land on behalf of the entire group
leveling mechanisms
A societal obligation compelling a family to distribute goods so that no one accumulates more wealth than anyone else
Production
A process whereby goods are obtained from the natural enviornment and altered to become consumable goods
unites of porudtion
Every society breaks up its mmember into some tyep of productive unit comprising people with specific tasks to perfom
Household in non-industrialized societies
the basic unit of production is the household
Household
A basic residential unit in which ecnomic production consumption, inheriteane, childrearing, and shelter ar organized and carried out
Division of labor
- Sex or gender
- age
- labor specialization
Gender
Way members o the two sexes are percieved, evaluated and expected to behave
Organic solidarity
a type of social integratio based on mutual interdependence; found in societies with a relatively elaborate division of labor
Mechanical solidarity
a type of social intergration based on mutuality of interestes found in societies with little division of labor
Distribution of goods and services
- Reciprocity
- Redistribution
- Market exchange
Reciprocity
a mode of distribution characterized by the exchange of goods and servies that have approximately equal value among parties
Three kinds of reciprocity
- General
- Balanced
- negative
General Reciprocity
The practice of giving a gift with an expected return, but neither the value of the gift nor the time of repyament are specified
Balanced reciprocity
The practice of giving with the expectation that a similar gift will given in the opposite direction either immediately or after a limited period of time
Function of Kula Ring
- Effective system for the exchange of trade items
- Maintains coridal relationships between trading partners
- Creates and maintaines long-term social relationships
Negative reciprocity
A form of economic exchange between individuals who try to take advantage of each other
Redistribution
A form of ecomic exchange in which goods ( and services) are recieved and then distributed back to the donors
Leveling mechanisim
A social obligation compelling a family to distribute goods so that no one accumulates more wealth than anyone else
Forms of redistribution
- Simplist form giving agricutlural surplus to family elder who reallocates by need
- tribute
- big men/ feast givers
- Bridewealth
- potlatch
- charities
- taxation
conspicuous consumption
Display of wealth for social prestige
Market exchange
A form of distribution where goods and services are bought and sold an their value is determined by the principle of supply and demand
Characteristics of market exchange
- Tends to be less personal than reciprocity and redistribution
- predominately economic in nature
- more likely in sedentary societies which produce large surpluses and have a complex division of labor
