O'Jays - For the Love of Money
(A sound track for reading this post)
(A sound track for reading this post)
I am
prompted to share an ironic meta-level observation after reading Hart and Hann,
Bohannan, and Guyer[1]. In these writings, frequent references appear
which frame the formalist and substantivist discourse in economic anthropology.
Where does truth reside? In theory? In praxis? Surely in the ideas themselves—yes!
Ideas--the whole dynamic of the value-exchange of ideas, of intellectual
property--that is an interesting thing to consider! It is definitely another
site for exploring the social constructions of exchange.
But back on planet Earth, from Bohannan,
I was also interested in his discussion on the positionality of land, in terms
of the exchange structures of the Tiv.
Because they organize their lives spatially, through their inherited forms
of land tenure, land is not considered property for exchange.[2] As
a food systems scholar, I understand this connection to an economy identity
rooted in subsistence agriculture. I can appreciate the functionality of an economy
based on having enough land to grow what you need. Clearly, the introduction of
money into this culture, which creates commodities of all things, including
land, is challenging very deeply held ways of knowing—that is to say, the social foundations we count on to make sense of the world.
[1] Bohannan,
Paul, “Some Principles of Exchange and Investment among the Tiv,” American
Anthropologist 1955 .
Hart
and Hann, Economic Anthropology, Chapter 4 & 5
Guyer,
Jane, “Conversions: Asymmetrical Transactions” [from Marginal Gains]
[2] Bohannan, Paul, “Some Principles of
Exchange and Investment among the Tiv,” American Anthropologist, p.
63.
Thanks for the soundtrack, Agapi! That's an awesome sound to listen too while reading all your wonderful posts!
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