Economic Anthropology

Question 1

Formalist vs. Substantivist debate

Answer 1

Formalist: Rationality & utility maximization are universal
Substantivist: economy is embedded in social relations (social, religious, and political life)

Question 2

F & S example 1:

Answer 2

Kula Ring
- Ceremonial exchange in the Trobriand Islands
- ‘mwali,’ bands of shells to fit around the arms, which travel anti-clockwise around the island ring
- ‘soulava,’ a shell necklace, which travel in the opposite direction, clockwise around the ring.
- exchange as social obligation

Question 3

F & S example 2:

Answer 3

!Kung & Bushmen
- Laugh at meat to avoid arrogance
- generosity and humility as part of a moral economy

Question 4

James C. Scott - Moral Economy

Answer 4

• Peasants value subsistence over profit, comfort and risk-avoidance over profit maximisation
• Rebellions as moral reactions to exploitations
• Thompson gives an example: food riots to ensure moral rights to fair prices.

Question 5

Marcel Mauss: Gifts as obligations

Answer 5

Gifts create social ties and moral obligations (creates an imbalance)
To give is to show one’s superiority, refusal declares war

Question 6

Graeber: Value beyond the commodity

Answer 6

Value is how people present the importance of their actions
Value is symbolic and social
It would imply the existence of some kind of symbolic system that defines the world in terms of what is important, meaningful, desirable or worthwhile in it.

Question 7

Zelizer: Money as Earmarked

Answer 7

Salary does not equal bride price does not equal donation: money is morally earmarked. Money carries distinct social meanings.