Anthro economic

What is economic anthropology?

• Study of how people:

  • use resources

  • organize labour

  • distribute goods

• Focus on social relationships in economics

• Not just money—also culture + survival

What is social organization?

• Patterned social relationships

• People depend on each other to meet needs

• Includes family, kinship, groups

What is the self-interested model?

• People act to maximize personal gain

• Rational + calculating

• Egocentric (focus on self)

• Linked to capitalism

What is the social model?

• People act based on group relationships

• Focus on community, not individual

• Socio-centric

• Example: sharing resources

What is the moral model?

• Economic behavior shaped by cultural values

• Ideas of right/wrong vary by culture

• Culture influences decisions

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What is generalized reciprocity?

• No immediate expectation of return

• Usually among close relationships

• Example: parents → kids

What is balanced reciprocity?

• Equal exchange expected

• Within a specific time

• Example: wedding gifts

What is negative reciprocity?

• Trying to get more than you give

• Can involve cheating/deception

• Example: scams

What are the three modes of exchange?

1. Reciprocity

2. Redistribution

3. Market exchange

What is redistribution?

• Goods collected and redistributed

• Based on equality (egalitarianism)

What is market exchange?

• Buying/selling with money

• Based on supply & demand

• Impersonal

What is a mode of production?

HOW labour is organized

What are means of production?

• Tools/resources used to produce goods

• Example: land, machines

What are relations of production?

• Social relationships in production

• Who works, who owns

What is kin-ordered production?

• Based on family/kinship

• Example: family farming

What is tributary production?

• Producers give tribute/taxes

• Example: feudal systems

What is capitalist production?

• Workers sell labour for wages

• Owners control production

• Leads to inequality

What is consumption?

• Using up resources

• Not just needs—also wants

What is conspicuous consumption?

• Buying things to show status

• Example: luxury brands

What is invidious consumption?

uying to make others jealous

What is internal explanation?

• Culture meets basic human needs

• Focus on function

• NOT meaning

What is external explanation?

• Consumption based on environment

• What resources are available

What is cultural explanation?

• Consumption shaped by beliefs + values

• Humans give meaning to environment