Cultural Anthropology, Globalization and Localization - Essay Example

I would include the history of anthropology in my course. Thinkers such as Henry Morgan, and Franzand  Boas, and later the contributions from people like Julian Stewart and Leslie White hold paramount importance. Students need to learn the foundations of the subject. I would use books, presentation slides, videos, and whiteboards to conduct this course. I would give assignments to the students to make sure that they comprehend and learn the books and readings about the famous thinkers of anthropology.

Question 2

It is important for anthropologists that work in the field to remain nonjudgmental when they interact with people from other cultures. In the eyes of the great philosopher Kant, prejudice is a source of error (Heidemann, 2011). There are no limits to being nonjudgmental because anthropology is a field of study and knowledge. Prejudice and biased opinions have no place in studies. They are not supposed to become advocates of the people they study because it will be equivalent to taking sides. If a person does not critique a culture it does not mean that researchers have to side with or promote the culture. For instance, many cultural and religious practices in Third World countries are considered unethical by the West. Anthropologists have to observe them and go behind the causes of such behaviors or rituals.

The Africans might be using the age-old ways of living such as transporting logs and oil barrels on bamboo boats but they use cell phones to communicate with each other. Mobile technology has significantly globalized the world and through cheap cell phones, the backward communities of Africa have also joined in with the rest of the world. Localization reverses the effects of globalization by discriminating in favor of the locals (Hines, 2013). Major brands such as Pepsi and Coca-Cola were limited to a few countries and their advertisements targeted only specific regional communities. These days when Coca-Cola makes their TV advertisements their themes are truly localized to capture the local audiences.


Question 4
Redistribution refers to the redistribution of wealth and income. It focuses on the transfer of income and wealth from a few individuals to others through financial and social tools like monetary policies, land reforms, charity, etc.

Reciprocity refers to the practice of exchanging materials for other benefits. For instance, a man butchering an animal for his clan is a form of reciprocity. In general, reciprocity aims at helping someone by sharing goods with them (Fasnafan.com, n.d.).

The market system is a platform that brings together the sellers and the buyers. The bid and ask system lies at the core of the market system. The system is to ensure efficiency in the interaction between sellers and buyers. Under the system regulations and laws are made and implemented. It is due to such mechanisms that there are different kinds of markets with their regulations. Stock markets, debt markets, and food markets have their marketing systems.

Question 5
Some of the most interesting concepts that one can study under anthropology include psychological anthropology and political economy. Although every subfield is important to me these are one of the most interesting subfields of anthropology. Psychological anthropology studies the interaction of mental processes and culture. Cognitive anthropology is a sub-branch of psychological anthropology which shows that the coherence and force of cultural discourse is an essential matter of social pragmatics just like ideation (Schwartz, White and Lutz, 1992). To me, it is important to understand every culture in the world by completely empathizing. It enables people to understand different cultures and also comprehend why certain people behave the way they do. Similarly, political economy studies production and trade and how they are governed through law and governmental regulations. It governs how a country’s economic system operates as it controls the distribution of national income and wealth.

Question 6
Psychological anthropology can resolve many of the problems that the world faces today. The issues of gender, race, ethnicity, and religious conflict can be better understood through psychological anthropology. The study will reveal how different cultures interact with each other and why they hold certain value systems dear to them. Read More