Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Discuss the relevance of anthropological concepts, like 'spheres of Essay

Discuss the relevance of anthropological concepts, like 'spheres of exchange' - Essay Example Lastly, the essay will end with a conclusion, which sums up all the arguments and ideas discussed in the paper. Introduction Spheres of exchange refer to an anthropological concept, which entails the analysis of restrictions in trade and societies that share communal resources. In discussing spheres of exchange, the main focus is on whether principles of the market and economic theories can be considered as true in economies of all societies (Hart & Ortiz 1). This concept is based on the assumption that maximization of profit is what motivates all exchanges. All people have the sole motive to accumulate considerable profits when they engage in exchange. Therefore, the concept seeks to examine the economics behind any form of exchange in the society (Hart & Ortiz 1). Anthropologists examine this concept under economic anthropology. Based on this, the concept seeks to compare and analyze consumption, production, and exchange in societies not based in the west. In studying spheres of ex change, economic anthropologists have had two aims. One of the aims includes establishing economic activities based on the social and cultural context. The second aim entails understanding the rationality behind the systems of exchange, which seem irrational and unconventional (Hart & Ortiz 1). The anthropologists who studied spheres of exchange include Laura and Paul Bohannan; they studied this concept in their field work, in Nigeria. They provided three types of spheres: the subsistence sphere, wealth, and marriageable female relatives. The subsistence sphere consisted of food, such as grains, yams, vegetables, among others. Wealth comprised cattle, slaves, white cloth, and brass rods (Hart & Ortiz 3). Economic anthropologists Karl Polyani, Marcel Mauss, and Karl Marx have had an impact in the explanations of spheres of exchange. Polyani made a significant contribution through his comparison of economic institutions. His ideas outlined in Trade and Market in the Early Empires repr esent his beliefs. He argued that the economy of capitalistic societies is guided by values and not aim for profit (Hart & Ortiz 3). In his works, known as the gift, Mauss examines the exchange of gifts in various societies. He holds that gifts have a reciprocal nature since the receiver has an obligation to pay back what he or she got from the giver. Karl Marx made contributions in the field of anthropology through his dialectics and his arguments of social class. Neoliberal Globalization Neoliberal globalization entails efforts to remove barriers to trade and privatization of services as well as resources. The main objective of neoliberal globalization of the economy is to leave prices at the control of market forces. This tends to benefit a few in the society, while the majority suffers due to increased prices and unfavorable conditions in the market. Neo-liberalism and globalization develops within certain circumstances, which tend to be social and historical. Neo-liberalists ar gue that this concept is a law of nature. Anthropologists take globalization to mean the escalation in flows and improvement, in connections of people, values, goods, ideas, symbols, and knowledge (Hart & Ortiz 1). In anthropology, the term entails descriptions on how the market has prevailed. As a result, the economy became less dependent on political, social, and cultural forces. This has led to profound dominance of the market in

Monday, February 10, 2020

Data Collection And Analysis For India Coursework

Data Collection And Analysis For India - Coursework Example Recently, this gap has been realized and the officials are taking actions to rectify the situation. 40% of the investments made for the development of the railway system is expected to come from the private sector. There are few Public-Private-Partnership programs that have initiated the developmental programs in this sector. New railway routes for cargo trains have been placed between Mumbai and Delhi; Delhi and Kolkata so as to bridge the distance in trade. The metro railways are also developed in order to increase satisfaction and convenience of passengers.Indian roads are congested, which is mainly due to increase in a number of vehicles over years. The annual growth is recorded to be 12% and 10%. The Indian government has estimated that $90 billion is required for improving roads and highways of the country. Several projects are planned via the National Highway Development Program (NHDP), which anticipates expanding roadway to around 13,000 km. The highways have helped to reduce traffic congestion (ProceWaterHouseCopopers, 2014; Equitymaster Agora Research Private Limited, 2014). Telecommunication sector in India is built around few segments such as USOF, licensing, FDI, spectrum, security and consumer affordability. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) was the most renowned telecom provider in the Indian market. The company had obtained a large market share in the telecom industry, but the emergence of a number of private companies like, Airtel and Vodafone, had threatened the existence of BSNL.