Anthropology of Parliaments

Emma Crewe is Professor of Social Anthropology at SOAS, University of London, UK.

"With characteristic wit and imagination, Emma Crewe casts her anthropological eye across the spectrum of parliamentary politics. This book is the product of those enquiries – it is sparklingly fresh, insightful, and as ever with this author, more interested in illumination than condemnation."Jonathan Spencer, University of Edinburgh, UK."This is a pioneering anthropological exploration of parliaments from the UK to East Africa and South Asia, through a rigorous, imaginative and productive crossing of disciplinary boundaries. Emma Crewe’s study of the sociality of parliaments – elections, representation and scrutiny – is complemented by a fascinating account of the culture of parliaments – their rhythms, riffs and rituals – both drawing on a formidable volume of primary research, from the constituency level to every imaginable aspect of parliamentary practice."Niraja Gopal Jayal, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India.

• 1. Introducing Parliaments and Anthropology Part I: The sociality of parliaments 2. The Alchemy of Voting 3. Representing 4. Scrutiny of the State PART II: The Cultures of Parliaments 5. Rhythms of Performance 6. Riffs of Meaning 7. Rituals and Symbols in Politics Part III: Politics with the dial turned up 8. A sense of proportion 9. Improvising Together