Economic anthropology studies how people and groups make a living within particular cultural, historical, social, and environmental settings. Rather than treating economic activity as separate from the rest of life, anthropologists connect it to topics such as religion, gender, politics, and power.
Anthropologists bring several broad commitments to the study of economic life: diversity, holism, and environmentalism. They also value cultural relativism and efforts to understand an insider’s point of view.
All flashcards
What is diversity as an anthropological commitment?
Diversity is the recognition that economic practices vary across societies and groups, so researchers should not assume that one pattern applies everywhere.
What does holism contribute to economic anthropology?
Holism connects economic activity to other parts of life, including religion, gender, family, politics, and history.
What is cultural relativism in the study of economies?
It is the practice of interpreting economic activities within their own cultural and historical contexts instead of automatically judging them by an outside standard.
Why seek an insider’s point of view?
It helps researchers understand how local people themselves interpret their economic practices, relationships, and circumstances.
How does economic anthropology examine power?
It asks how social groups and power relations shape people’s economic options and experiences, including through gender, political resistance, and other relationships.
Quiz questions
What does universalism commonly mean in mainstream economic analysis?Answer: The assumption that economic processes operate similarly across different places.
What makes an economic question normative?Answer: It evaluates policies or outcomes against a goal or standard.
How do mainstream economic models commonly represent people’s decision-making?Answer: As choices by rational, self-interested actors.
Which kind of evidence is commonly associated with mainstream economic analysis?Answer: Statistical analysis of economic data.
Which contrast best describes the common emphasis of mainstream economics and economic anthropology?Answer: Markets and economic processes versus people’s practices and meanings in context.
Based on Introduction to Anthropology by Jennifer Hasty, David G. Lewis, Marjorie M. Snipes (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.