ANTH-UA 1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Marcel Mauss, Political Anthropology, Ethnography
21 Oct 2014
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Rd: barth, ethnic groups and boundaries (1969) Rd: brubaker and cooper, beyond identity (2002) Don"t have cultures with boundaries; we have practices that people choose to identify with. Outline for mauss: three intertexts, marcel mauss (1872-1950, the gift (1925) C18 scottish political economist and moral philosopher. 1759 book theory of moral sentiments(empathy as obligation) 1776 book wealth of nations (laissez-faire); invisible hand; appeal to the self-interests of others. The only gift is the gift of thyself. We wish to be self-sustained; we do not forgive the giver; it is a good man who receives gifts well. Law is one thing, custom is another. Key word is total; total reciprocities, total services. Agonism - interested in a form of exchange dealing with struggle. Is anything truly voluntary - are well all just consciously or subconsciously trying to agree with social contracts. Gift has a magical and spiritual force attached to it.
