ANTH 3220 Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Credit Union, Moral Economy
10 Feb 2017
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Document Summary
Our situation is in some respects more appalling than a criminal imprisoned for murder - debtor in york jail. Ends up in jail - judge holding case states he must sell farm to pay debt - farm eventually sold to same judge. Borrowed from bank of upper canada, couldn"t repay - legal fees and court fees added, plus interest. People within legal system realize they can exploit preexisting debts. Forced into selling assets out of desperation. Judges and prosecutors often seized these assets for reduced price. Tendency to think of money as a neutral concept - but can be manipulated by those in control of banks. Cooperative organization of farmers aiming to survive the economy of debt. Defend the moral economy - through hard work, have a right to the income they make. Threat or enemy is paper aristocracy" - banks, corporations, capitalist speculators, inherited wealth. Cooperative marketing, credit union, land-sharing agreements, subsidize younger members.
