Advanced Introduction to Economic Anthropology

Elgar Advanced Introductions series

Peter D. Little, Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of Anthropology and Director of Global Development Studies, Emory University, US

Expertly navigating the interdisciplinary field of economic anthropology, Peter D. Little illustrates how an anthropological perspective can deepen understandings of customary and global markets; different types of money; diversified livelihoods of the poor; gendered and racialized labor; climate change and other global issues. By questioning common dichotomies, such as the informal versus formal sectors and customary versus modern institutions, the book uncovers those hidden connections, power relations, and economic actors and processes that underpin real economies throughout the world.

‘This volume offers an insightful analysis and synthesis of the breadth of contemporary Economic Anthropology. It’s a valuable exploration of the current state of the field, incorporating recent literature and adding voices often left out, thus demonstrating the diversity of economic thought in anthropology and inspiring fresh insights. It is a clear and comprehensive introduction to the field for students, an excellent and concise refresher for those already familiar.’
– Lisa Cliggett, University of Kentucky, US

‘In this concise volume, Peter Little has renewed the field of economic anthropology. Classic topics meet the urgency of today’s economies. From street vending to global value chains, agrarian labor to the gig economy, Little explains ideas and debates essential for understanding how diverse peoples create careers, value, and earnings. It is an excellent guide for contemporary analysis of working lives and economic power.’
– Rudi Colloredo-Mansfeld, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, US

‘Without neglecting the classics, Peter Little has written an introduction to economic anthropology that tackles the present moment of global capitalism head on. Over a vast range of topics, he juxtaposes ethnographic analysis of the “real economy” with ethical sensitivity. I particularly appreciated the attention paid to informality and trust, global value chains, digital financialization, and to the very language in which people’s economic activities are described and thereby constituted.’
– Chris Hann, Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology, Germany