Erik Bähre - Böcker

This Encyclopedia presents insights into societal change through the lens of economic anthropology. Interdisciplinary in scope, it outlines emerging themes in the field and explicitly connects theoretical debates to in-depth empirical evidence.Experts in the field provide ethnographic examples to explore contemporary and pioneering works in cultural and social economic analysis, looking ahead to the future of economic anthropology. Building on the history of the discipline, the Encyclopedia captures the latest concepts and examines how they can be used to develop new ways of thinking about the economy.Key Features:Highlights how conflict in society is related to capitalism, markets, and valuesShowcases new lines of inquiry through innovative studies from diverse scholarly and geographical areasAnalyzes the relationship between theory and method, shedding light on the function of the economy as part of society and culture57 entries covering varied themes including energy, climate finance, responsible innovation, entrepreneurship, international development, and genderThe Elgar Encyclopedia of Economic Anthropology is a vital reference for scholars and students of anthropology, social sciences, and economic psychology. It is also a beneficial resource for policymakers and practitioners in economics and finance.

Set in one of the world’s most unequal and violent places, this ethnographic study reveals how insurance companies discovered a vast market of predominantly poor African clients. After apartheid ended in 1994, South Africa became a ‘testing ground’ for new insurance products, new marketing techniques and pioneering administrative models with a potentially global market.Drawing on Rorty’s notion of irony for understanding how the contradictions inherent to solidarity affect inequality and conflict as well as drawing on a vast array of case studies, Ironies of Solidarity examines how both Africans enjoy the freedoms that they have gained in financial terms and how the onset of democracy effected the risks faced in everyday life. Bähre examines the ways in which policies are sold and claims are handled, offering a detailed analysis of South Africa’s insurance sector.