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| Why do anthropologists study world systems? Ans: The world economy means that nations and societies are increasingly economically and politically interconnected. This process has accelerated since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in the 17th and 18th centuries. City, nation, and world increasingly invade and affect local communities, so that all anthropologists must be aware of its effects. Are there any "pristine" or "isolated" societies left? Ans: Likely, there was never such a thing as an "isolated" culture. For most of human history, all societies have interacted with and been influenced by their neighbors. Today, all societies are increasingly participating in the world system of exchange. Even in the most remote locations, such as the highlands of Papua New Guinea or the tropical forests of South America, a visitor is likely to encounter a missionary or a prospector. What are the effects of industrialization? Ans: In the twentieth century, industrialization added hundreds of new industries and millions of new jobs and production increased, often beyond immediate demand. This spurred strategies such as advertising to increase consumption, which in turn has led to a culture of overconsumption. Despite the advantages, the benefits of industrialization have not been shared equally. Generally, those who own the capital, or the means of production, benefit more greatly from these changes than those who must sell their labor. More recently, wealthy countries have been able to reform labor laws. These changes allow more people to participate in the benefits of industrialization, but often these reforms are supported by exploiting cheap pools of labor in less industrialized parts of the world. |