Critical realism and economic anthropology

Harvey, John; Smith, Andrew; Golightly, David

Abstract

This paper discusses basic critical realism within the context of economic anthropology and develops an approach to studying material relations between people. A diachronic form of analysis, following the work of Bhaskar and Archer, is described as a practical means of analysing property rights. This new approach emphasises epistemic relativism and ontological realism in order to compare disparate forms of human interaction across cultures. The aim of doing this is to develop a philosophical framework that allows for the comparison of economic practices without resorting to judgemental relativism. The implications are significant for institutional economics and anthropology alike, particularly for researchers examining multiple overlapping practices such as market and gift exchange.

Citation

Harvey, J., Smith, A., & Golightly, D. (2017). Critical realism and economic anthropology. Journal of Critical Realism, 16(5), 431-450. https://doi.org/10.1080/14767430.2017.1377384

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 6, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Oct 10, 2017
• Publication Date: Oct 10, 2017
• Deposit Date: Sep 8, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 11, 2019
• Journal: Journal of Critical Realism
• Print ISSN: 1476-7430
• Electronic ISSN: 1572-5138
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 431-450
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14767430.2017.1377384
• Keywords: Economic anthropology; Social structure; Property rights
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/887369
• Publisher URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14767430.2017.1377384
• Additional Information: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of Critical Realism on 10 October 2017, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/14767430.2017.1377384