Unequal Egalitarianism: Reflections on Forge's Paradox
Date
2014
Authors
Gregory, Chris
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor & Francis Group
Abstract
Anthony Forge was a pioneer in the anthropology of art and established an international reputation in this field. His work on the political anthropology of egalitarianism, by contrast, has been virtually ignored because of the demise of British Social Anthropology as a method, and the rise of inequality as the problem to be investigated. Some fifty years have passed since Forge did his fieldwork in the Sepik District of Papua New Guinea; a critical reappraisal of his method and ideas in light of the political history of democracy in Oceania is called for. Equality as a male value has re-emerged as a key concern for the new 'Big Shot', so too has equal exchange, but in the form of the commercial gift. If we are to grasp the general principles, and paradoxes, that inform transactions of this kind, anthropologists need to reassess their prejudices about the method of British Social Anthropology.
Description
Keywords
Citation
Collections
Source
Asia Pacific Journal of Anthropology
Type
Journal article
Book Title
Entity type
Access Statement
License Rights
Restricted until
2037-12-31
Downloads
File
Description