ANT207H1 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Modernization Theory, Slash-And-Burn
Land's End Study Guide
Tania Li, 6 November 2015
The questions I have posed here are quite challenging. They get to the heart of the core concepts that
drive the analysis in the book. Using the guide will help you to read analytically, and to see how
particular events, stories and details in the book are used to make arguments. I suggest you read a
chapter first, then jot down answers to the questions. Think of the main outlines of an answer, and
some empirical examples you could use to support it. If you find you are not able to answer, you need
to go back and read again with the questions in mind. The answers may be found in more than one
section.
Intro:
1 What are the main assumptions of modernization theory, and how does Land's End challenge
them?
2 What is Li's definition of capitalist relations?
3 What are the main characteristics of highland areas as frontiers?
4 What were the main steps in Li's research process?
Chapter One
1 What were the cultural schemes through which desa headmen and other coastal people viewed
highlanders?
2 Why did highlanders not gain in status through their productive work in "feeding" the coast?
3 Use the concept of power provided by John Allen (p19) to identify the sets of relations that
connected highlanders to the coast in the period before cacao. I made a start on this in the lecture
notes, so begin with my list and add more elements. Think about power not only in terms of how it
dominates, controls, exploits, and coerces , but also in terms of how it forms people, creates desires,
and enables actions.
Chapter Two
1 How did highlanders' view that work creates individual property shape the relations a) between
husband and wife; b) between parents and children; c) among neighbours and kin?
2 What were the different ways that corn circulated between one household and another?
3 Why did highlanders find doing paid work for each other awkward?
4 Why was it so hard for highlanders to organize collective projects, like holding a community
ritual?
5 How did highlanders attempt to protect themselves from attack by malevolent spirits?
Document Summary
The questions i have posed here are quite challenging. They get to the heart of the core concepts that drive the analysis in the book. Using the guide will help you to read analytically, and to see how particular events, stories and details in the book are used to make arguments. I suggest you read a chapter first, then jot down answers to the questions. Think of the main outlines of an answer, and some empirical examples you could use to support it. If you find you are not able to answer, you need to go back and read again with the questions in mind. The answers may be found in more than one section. Use the concept of power provided by john allen (p19) to identify the sets of relations that connected highlanders to the coast in the period before cacao.
