Anthro 2A Module 10

Imperialism & the Postcolonial World

A society's dominance over other societies, often through economic, political, or cultural means, and its ongoing impacts after colonialism.

"Development"

The process of improving economic and social conditions in less developed countries, often influenced by external intervention philosophies.

Intervention Philosophies

Strategies used by external powers to guide development in less developed countries, often reflecting broader political and economic agendas.

Power & Representations

The ways in which power influences how groups are represented and perceived, often reinforcing dominant narratives.

Capitalist World System

A global economic system characterized by a division into core, semiperiphery, and periphery regions, each with distinct roles in production and trade.

Core

Wealthy industrialized nations that export manufactured goods.

Semiperiphery

Industrialized but less wealthy nations.

Periphery

Poor, largely non-industrialized nations that export raw materials.

Globality

The interconnectedness of the world through social, cultural, economic, and political linkages, affecting identity and governance.

Nation State and New forms of Governmentality

Changes in how nations govern and interact with global institutions and agreements.

Identity

How individuals and groups define themselves within a globalized world.

Capitalism

An economic system based on private ownership of the means of production and continuous growth through reinvestment.

Totalizing

A form of misrepresentation that simplifies complex systems into overly broad or simplistic categories.

Capitalism on the Periphery

The manifestation of capitalist systems in less industrialized regions, often characterized by labor-intensive production.

Routinization of Production & Taylorism

The process of making production seem routine through automation and scientific management techniques.

Multi-National Corporations

Large companies operating across multiple countries, influencing global production and trade.

Free Trade Zones (FTZ)

Areas where goods can be manufactured and exported with minimal regulatory oversight, often used by multinational corporations.

Proletarianization

The process of turning people into wage laborers, often in industrial settings.

Capitalist Discipline

The use of power and control to transform individuals into efficient workers, often through surveillance and strict schedules.

Anthropological Perspectives on "the Political"

The study of power relations and governance within societies, including how they are culturally constructed.

Power

The ability to influence or control others, often through social, economic, or political means.

Docile Bodies

Bodies that are controlled and disciplined to conform to societal norms, particularly in industrial settings.

Malaysia

A country that has undergone significant industrialization and economic development, often studied in the context of globalization.

2020 Plan

Malaysia's initiative to become a fully industrialized nation by 2020, involving significant economic and social changes.

Kampung (Village)

Traditional rural communities in Malaysia, often characterized by strong social bonds and cultural practices.

Adat

Traditional Austronesian cultural practices in Malaysia, emphasizing community and social harmony.

Islam

A major religion in Malaysia, influencing social norms and authority structures.

Rural Malay Gender Constructions

Cultural beliefs about gender roles in rural Malaysia, often emphasizing male authority and female domesticity.

Gender & Authority in Village Homes

The distribution of power within households, typically with men holding more authority.

Female Threats to Male Spiritual Purity

Cultural beliefs that women can threaten men's spiritual well-being, leading to strict gender roles.

Dangerous Places

Areas perceived as risky or spiritually vulnerable, often associated with female vulnerability.

Spirits (Hantu)

Supernatural entities believed to inhabit certain places or cause harm, used in cultural narratives.

Stages of Woman's Life

The different life stages of women in rural Malaysia, each with distinct roles and expectations.

Janda

A divorced or widowed woman, often seen as the most spiritually dangerous and independent.

Time in the Kampung vs the Factory

The contrast between flexible, community-oriented time in villages and rigid, industrial time in factories.

Tyranny of the Clock

The strict regulation of time in industrial settings, emphasizing punctuality and productivity.

Fractured Day

The disruption of natural rhythms by industrial schedules, leading to stress and disorientation.

Education, Work

Differences in educational and work expectations between sons and daughters in rural Malaysia.

Changes in Authority in the Village

Shifts in power dynamics within villages due to economic and social changes.

Micro-Chip Factories in the FTZ

Industrial facilities in free trade zones that attract young female workers for low-wage labor.

Attracting a Young Female Workforce

The economic advantages of hiring young women, including low wages and short career spans.

Reproduction of Patriarchy in the Factory

The reinforcement of patriarchal norms within industrial settings.

Unlimited Production Demands

The pressure to maximize output in factories, often at the expense of worker well-being.

Discipline in the Factory v. the Kampung

The contrast between strict industrial discipline and more flexible village social norms.

Worker Responses to Stress

Various ways workers cope with stress, including spirit possession and sabotage.

Spirit Possessions on the Shop Floor

Instances of spirit possession used as a form of resistance by factory workers.

Bio-Politics (Bio-Power)

The exercise of power over bodies, often through cultural constructions of biology and gender.

Constructions of Female Bodies

Cultural narratives about women's bodies, often used to justify their roles in society.

Biological Determinism

The belief that social roles are determined by biological differences, often used to justify gendered labor practices.

Public Perceptions of Female Factory Workers

Negative views of women working in factories, often seen as morally corrupt.

Bebas

A term used to describe women who are seen as unrestricted or morally loose.

Spirit Possession as Resistance

The use of spirit possession as a way for women to express dissent in culturally acceptable ways.

Hegemony

The acceptance of dominant ideologies as natural or normal, often preventing resistance.

Public Transcript & Hidden Transript

The contrast between openly expressed beliefs and privately held dissenting views.

Discourse

The set of ideas and narratives that shape how we understand the world.

Applied Anthropology

The practical application of anthropological knowledge to solve real-world problems.

Cultural Imperialism

The imposition of one culture over another, often through media or education.

Indigenizing Popular Culture

The process of incorporating indigenous perspectives into mainstream culture.

Diaspora

The dispersal of people from their ancestral homeland, often leading to cultural exchange and identity shifts.

Postmodernism in Anthropology

A theoretical approach questioning grand narratives and emphasizing diversity and complexity.