Capitalism: An Ethnographic Approach

Description

This provocative book challenges many of our ingrained assumptions about the direction of contemporary capitalism and offers fresh perspectives that will inform the development of a new and relevant political economy for our times. The complex and often contradictory world within which modern commodities are produced, sold and consumed is set within the larger context of transnational business and economic developments. The importance of factors such as profitability and globalization is highlighted, and a sophisticated analysis of the contradictions and ironies of the world of modern commodities emerges. Trinidad provides an ideal setting for this study, given its recent oil boom and recession and the subsequent experience of both wealth and poverty.

Daniel Miller Professor of Anthropology,University College London. Recent books include 'A Theory of Shopping', 'The Internet: An Ethnographic Approach' (with Don Slater) and Ed. 'Car Cultures'.

'an important contribution to the anthropology of capitalism. It succedds in telling a fascinating, if not unique, story about the culture of capitalism in Trinidad and points to several topics where future research is required. The book will be of interest to students of economic and cultural anthropology, global studies, critical theory, and Caribbean studies.' American Anthropologist 'Miller offers a challenging assessment of the direction of contemporary capitalism.' The Front Table 'Capitalism is full of insights, observations, and practical (as opposed to abstract) theory. It is a book which makes us think, a book that is relevant to the world in which almost all anthropologists now live. [...] Anthropology needs more books like this.' The Australian Journal of Anthropology