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Socialism: Ideals, Ideologies and Social Practice

Paperback

Main Details

Title Socialism: Ideals, Ideologies and Social Practice
Authors and Contributors      Edited by C.M. Hann
Foreword by Ernest Gellner
SeriesASA Monographs
Series part Volume No. No.31
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback
Pages:288
Dimensions(mm): Height 234,Width 156
ISBN/Barcode 9780415083225
ClassificationsDewey:306.345
Audience
Undergraduate
Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Professional & Vocational
Illustrations indexes

Publishing Details

Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Imprint Routledge
Publication Date 17 December 1992
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

Socialism examines socialist ideals and realities from a variety of anthropological perspectives. Although socialism as a radical critique of capitalistic industrial society may appear to be defunct, on one can doubt that it will leave behind powerful cultural legacies in countries all over the world, as well as conceptual legacies within anthropology and other social sciences. The contributors reveal the factors which have given socialism such a profound worldwide impact, and which helped socialist societies to reproduce themselves for so long.They develop theories and analyses of socialism both in relation to primitive communism' and as a modern form of social organisation with revolutionary aspirations. Case studies are drawn not only from the non-European countries, with which anthropology is most commonly associated, but also from both Western and Eastern Europe. Recuring themes include the links with ethnic and national conflicts, with traditional cultures and religious practices, and with gender relations. A number of contributors also illuminate the mechanisms of the recent changes which have removed socialists from power in many countries. The first book to present a sustained and wide-ranging investigation of socialism by social anthropologists, this volume will do much to help us comprehend the experiences of ordinary people' under socialism and their responses to new post-socialist dilemmas. As well as opening up new fields of investigation for political anthropology, it makes an important contribution to our understanding of some of the most central and far-reaching events of contemporary history.