Gowdy 1999 - Hunter-Gatherers and the Mythology of the Market Flashcards
ARG
The irony of modern society and hunter-gatherers. H-g are affluent in the sense that they have everything they need
h-g live in
equilibrium with the environment
‘Universal human nature’ + CRIT
cultural beliefs surrounding modern market capitalism do not reflect universal human nature. Specifically notions that humans are naturally competitive and the naturalization of social stratification
The mythology of the market
every act of consumption is an act of denial
cultural beliefs that support industrial capitalism act to justify the strange relationship b/w and among humans and the rest of the world
‘economic man’
naturally acquisitive, competitive, rational, calculating, perpetually finding means to increase material wellbeing
what is the economic man deemed to be
a universal fact; insatiable coveting, valuing the individual above the society
Prioritizing competition and expansion over cooperation and stability
neoclassical economic theory
ideology that serves to justify the current economic organization. workers are rewarded according to their contribution to total economic output
Marginal productive theory
in a competitive economy, argues that competition guarantees the outcome that wages are equal to the value of the marginal product of labour. implication that all workers are paid what they deserve,
Marginal productive theory does not consider
inherited wealth, individuals w more education
how does neoclassical economics view people
as isolate consumers + producers in competition with each other
Hadza
has rules to make sure meat is equally shared, hoarding or more meat supply than others is socially unacceptable.
the ‘uneconomic man’
h-g existence and success prove there is nothing natural about competitive markets. There are other more successful ways of organizing production and distribution
How do Hunter-gatherers challenge economic orthodoxy?
the economic notion of scarcity is a social construct, not an inherent property of human existence
the separation of work from social life is not s necessary element of economic production
the likening of individual well-being to individual production is not a necessary characterization of econ org
selfishness and acquisitiveness are aspects of human nature, but not necessarily the dominant ones
inequality based on class + gender Is not a necessary characterization of human society
How is scarcity a social construct
h-g considered affluent, with few possessions but lots of leisure time. Modern industrial society generates scarcity via creating infinite wants, consumers addicted
Productive activity in h-g
social and cooperative, successful production relies on knowledge, not capital equipment
Distribution in h-g implications on economic orthodoxy
no connection exists b/w production by individuals and distribution to individuals
so
Disdain for those not engaged in productive activity is therefore a culturally specific emotion
Ownership and capital
ownership, where people deny others the right to use specific resources
in h-g capital cannot be manipulated or contained instead knowledge is to be shared and accessible
- Freely given and not to control for individual advantage
