ANTH 3220 Lecture 8: Lecture 8.docx
12 May 2015
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Credit builds social relations through mutual aid and obligations (trust system) Debt happens when credit relations (of trust and obligation) become transformed into more than an obligation by accounting (calculation) with virtual or physical money. Debt: a contract with accounting, usually with specific consequences for nonpayment. Virtual money is when no physical money is exchanged, but accounting is used (e. g. , particular units, such as grain) Indebtedness in human society has been mainly in the form of farmers (food producers) taking on loans. Most protests, overthrowing of governments, originated with indebted farmers. Most people are poor in material possessions and property. For collateral, to secure a loan, or if people cannot repay the loan, then they often must offer their family members or themselves. ** can become means of control and manipulation for individuals and social classes. Commandment: 10th: thou shall not covet (thy neighbour"s wife, etc. ) Interest in mesopotamia connected to loans of livestock connected to idea of growth.
