Toward an Anthropological Theory of Value: The False Coin of Our Own Dreams by D

Description: FREE SHIPPING UK WIDE Toward an Anthropological Theory of Value: The False Coin of Our Own Dreams by David Graeber This innovative book is the first comprehensive synthesis of economic, political, and cultural theories of value. David Graeber reexamines a century of anthropological thought about value and exchange, in large measure to find a way out of quandaries in current social theory, which have become critical at the present moment of ideological collapse in the face of Neoliberalism. Rooted in an engaged, dynamic realism, Graeber argues that projects of cultural comparison are in a sense necessarily revolutionary projects: He attempts to synthesize the best insights of Karl Marx and Marcel Mauss, arguing that these figures represent two extreme, but ultimately complementary, possibilities in the shape such a project might take. Graeber breathes new life into the classic anthropological texts on exchange, value, and economy. He rethinks the cases of Iroquois wampum, Pacific kula exchanges, and the Kwakiutl potlatch within the flow of world historical processes, and recasts value as a model of human meaning-making, which far exceeds rationalist/reductive economist paradigms. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description This volume is a synthesis of economic, political, and cultural theories of value. David Graeber re-examines a century of anthropological thought about value and exchange, in large measure to find a way out of ongoing quandaries in current social theory, which have become critical at the present moment of ideological collapse in the face of Neoliberalism. Rooted in an engaged, dynamic realism, Graeber argues that projects of cultural comparison are in a sense necessarily revolutionary projects. He attempts to synthesize the best insights of Karl Marx and Marcel Mauss, arguing that these figures represent two extreme, but ultimately complementary, possibilities in the shape such a project might take. Graeber breathes new life into the classic anthropological texts on exchange, value, and economy. He rethinks the cases of Iroquois wampum, Pacific kula exchanges, and the Kwakiutl potlatch within the flow of world historical processes, and recasts value as a model of human meaning- making, which far exceeds rationalist/reductive economist paradigms. Author Biography David Graeber is an anarchist, an anthropologist, and a member of the Industrial Workers of the World. He teaches anthropology at Goldsmiths. He is the author of multiple books including DEBT: THE FIRST 5,000 YEARS (Melville House). His previous books include DIRECT ACTION: AN ETHNOGRAPHY (AK Press), POSSIBILITIES (AK Press), and FRAGMENTS OF AN ANARCHIST ANTHROPOLOGY (Prickly Paradigm). Table of Contents A Few Words by Way of Introduction Three Ways of Thinking about Value Current Directions in Exchange Theory Value as the Importance of Actions Action and Reflection, or, Notes Toward a Theory of Wealth and Power Wampum and Social Creativity Among the Iroquois Marcel Mauss Revisited The False Coin of our Own Dreams, or, the Problem of the Fetish IIIb Review I have not enjoyed or been so inspired by a work in anthropological theory for quite some time - I am convinced that this book is extremely important to the field of anthropology and to social theory more generally, offering alternatives to the relentlessly bleak theorizing of most post-structuralist and postmodernist critical theory - I think this book might well become a classic. - Thomas Abercrombie, NYUDavid Graeber is probably the most exciting young anthropologist in the field today. - Judith Friedlander, Dean of Social Sciences (Graduate Faculty), New School for Social Research Promotional David Graeber has written a variety of articles for the journal "in These Times". Review Quote I have not enjoyed or been so inspired by a work in anthropological theory for quite some time - I am convinced that this book is extremely important to the field of anthropology and to social theory more generally, offering alternatives to the relentlessly bleak theorizing of most post-structuralist and postmodernist critical theory - I think this book might well become a classic. - Thomas Abercrombie, NYU David Graeber is probably the most exciting young anthropologist in the field today. - Judith Friedlander, Dean of Social Sciences (Graduate Faculty), New School for Social Research Details ISBN0312240457 Author David Graeber Short Title TOWARD AN ANTHROPOLOGICAL THEO Language English ISBN-10 0312240457 ISBN-13 9780312240455 Media Book Format Paperback DEWEY 303.372 Year 2001 Publication Date 2001-12-31 Imprint Palgrave Macmillan Subtitle The False Coin of Our Own Dreams Publisher Palgrave MacMillan Pages 337 Edition Description 2001 Edition 2001st Place of Publication Gordonsville Country of Publication United States Illustrations XIII, 337 p. DOI 10.1604/9780312240455 UK Release Date 2002-02-08 We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! 30 DAY RETURN POLICY No questions asked, 30 day returns! FREE DELIVERY No matter where you are in the UK, delivery is free. SECURE PAYMENT Peace of mind by paying through PayPal and eBay Buyer Protection TheNile_Item_ID:123972999;

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