International Perspectives On Marxist Anthropology

An assessment of current trends in Marxist anthropology, thiscollection of essays reflects both the unifying force of Marxist thoughtand the diversity of contemporary anthropology. Linked by a commonapproach-a shared commitment to Marxist analysis-the contributorslook at a variety of phenomena, including the problems of labor andwork, in terms of a coherent theory of Marxism. Examining political,economic, and ethnic situations, the authors discuss social structures,ideology, and class formation. This unique volume warrants the attentionof both Marxists and non-Marxists in anthropology and ofscholars in other fields.

This book examines the uses made of anthropology by Marx and Engels, and the uses made of Marxism by anthropologists. Looking at the writings of Marx and Engels on primitive societies, the book evaluates their views in the light of present knowledge and draws attention to inconsistencies in their analysis of pre-capitalist societies. These inconsistencies can be traced to the influence of contemporary anthropologists who regarded primitive societies as classless. As Marxist theory was built around the idea of class, without this concept the conventional Marxist analysis foundered. First published in 1983.

An assessment of current trends in Marxist anthropology, this collection of essays reflects both the unifying force of Marxist thought and the diversity of contemporary anthropology. Linked by a common approach--a shared commitment to Marxist analysis--the contributors look at a variety of phenomena, including the problems of labor and work, in terms