History, Power, Ideology: Central Issues in Marxism and Anthropology

by Donald L. Donham

Does Marxism reflect uncritically the conceptual system it fights against, rather than a truly comprehensive approach to human history? Drawing on innovative work in anthropology, history and philosophy, Professor Donham confronts this problem in analyzing a radically different social order: the former Maale kingdom of southern Ethiopia. Unlike capitalism, where inequality is organized by contracts between 'free' individuals, powerful men in Maale were conceived as 'begetting' others through control of biological fertility and material fortune. The author scrutinizes this unusual system of domination in order to sharpen issues in social and cultural theory. He concludes that the interpretation of symbols and analysis of historical contingency should be crucial steps in any Marxist investigation. This unusual combination of social theory and ethnography will appeal to anthropologists, sociologists and political scientists.

Genres: Anthropology, Academic

254 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Molly · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was an ethnography of Africa. If he was trying to filter his ethnography through the lens of Marxist theory, he didn't do very well, IMO. But then I could only get through half the book or so as I wanted Marxist theory used in Anthropology specifically for a paper.

[Emerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great book, anyone interesting in economic anthropology and it's relation to Marxism (or just generally) should read.