Economic Development: An Anthropological Approach: 19 (Society for Economic Anthropology Monograph Series) - Softcover

This book is the state of the art in the practice of development anthropology. It demonstrates many important contributions by anthropologists to the development process. Theoretically sophisticated, full of rich case studies, this is an ideal text for a development anthropology course. It includes a remarkable range of critiques and case studies, covering the full terrain of contemporary development anthropology, and is by far the best coverage and quality of any current book on the topic. -- Richard Wilk, Indiana University quite interesting...contains some of the most interesting contributions for thinking about the object(s) and new directions for development anthropology...fascinating contributions. -- Peter Schroder * Anthropos * The local is undervalued in these days of globalization, but not by anthropologists. Cohen and Dannhaeuser bring an empirical, holistic, microlevel perspective to the critical study and practice of development. These case studies give historical and current examples of development practice that show the importance of local input, the necessity of taking local class structure, cultural diversity and values into account. They consider economic development from historical, theoretical and practical perspectives. They call for the reintegration of the practice of development with the growth of formal development theory in anthropology. The book highlights the value of anthropology to theory and practice in development. -- Martha Woodson Rees, (Agnes Scott College)

Economic development is an important focus of anthropological work in rural and urban communities around the world, and in this volume the contributors offer expert analyses on the theory and practice of development. Chapters cover the key topics of market systems, agricultural knowledge, modernization, population growth, participatory development, conservation strategies, culturally sustainable development, globalization and privatization, tourism, urban development, and financial markets. The cross-cultural focus of the volume provides original data on development processes in many countries, including the Philippines, Bali, Costa Rica, Mexico, Honduras, Venezuela, Kazakstan, and the United States. The book will be a welcome source of comparative research for anthropologists, development specialists, agricultural researchers, environmentalists, and geographers.