In the midst of global recession, angry citizens and media pundits often offer simplistic theories about how bad decisions lead to crises. Many economists, however, base their analyses on rational choice theory, which assumes that decisions are made by well-informed, intelligent people who weigh risks, costs, and benefits. Taking a more realistic approach, the field of anthropology carefully looks at the underlying causes of choices at different times and places.

Using case studies of choices by farmers, artisans, and bureaucrats drawn from Michael Chibnik's research in Mexico, Peru, Belize, and the United States, Anthropology, Economics, and Choice presents a clear-eyed perspective on human actions and their economic consequences. Five key issues are explored in-depth: choices between paid and unpaid work; ways people deal with risk and uncertainty; how individuals decide whether to cooperate; the extent to which households can be regarded as decision-making units; and the "tragedy of the commons," the theory that social chaos may result from unrestricted access to commonly owned property.

Both an accessible primer and an innovative exploration of economic anthropology, this interdisciplinary work brings fresh insight to a timely topic.

Presents the first extended critique of rational choice theory from an anthropological perspective

About the Author

Michael Chibnik is Professor of Anthropology at the University of Iowa and the editor of the Anthropology of Work Review. His previous books include Crafting Tradition: The Making and Marketing of Oaxacan Wood Carvings and Risky Rivers: The Economics and Politics of Floodplain Farming in Amazonia.

Reviews
"Beyond its wealth of information, this book is well organized, comprehensible, and engaging." - Carrie Sampson, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, International Social Science Review "The book is essential to any economic anthropologist reflecting on the role of the discipline and its relationship to other social sciences. Chibnik ably answers these questions and provides a complex introduction to how economic anthropologists go about their studies.The author's research experience and his thorough understanding of economic anthropology become evident in the book, which accurately portrays the sins scholars from both sides are tempted to commit." - Social Anthropology/Anthropologie Sociale



Book Information
ISBN 9780292729025
Author Michael Chibnik
Format Paperback
Page Count 216
Imprint University of Texas Press
Publisher University of Texas Press
Weight(grams) 340g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 15mm