In 'Stone Age Economics', Marshall Sahlins challenges conventional wisdom about primitive societies, arguing that they were not merely struggling to survive but led lives rich in abundance and leisure. Through a deep dive into anthropological studies, he reveals how these communities organized their economies around social relationships rather than material accumulation. Sahlins introduces the concept of 'modalities of production,' offering insights into how ancient economies operated on principles that could inform contemporary discussions on wealth and happiness. This thought-provoking work contrasts the hustle of modern capitalism with the seemingly 'simple' lives of our ancestors, prompting readers to rethink what true wealth means. Prepare to question everything you thought you knew about economics, society, and the essence of human fulfillment.
By Marshall Sahlins
Published: 2017
"In the world of the hunter-gatherer, the notion of wealth is measured not by possession, but by the abundance shared within the community."
Since its first publication over forty years ago Marshall Sahlins's Stone Age Economics has established itself as a classic of modern anthropology and arguably one of the founding works of anthropological economics. Ambitiously tackling the nature of economic life and how to study it comparatively, Sahlins radically revises traditional views of the hunter-gatherer and so-called primitive societies, revealing them to be the original "affluent society." Sahlins examines notions of production, distribution and exchange in early communities and examines the link between economics and cultural and social factors. A radical study of tribal economies, domestic production for livelihood, and of the submission of domestic production to the material and political demands of society at large, Stone Age Economics regards the economy as a category of culture rather than behaviour, in a class with politics and religion rather than rationality or prudence. Sahlins concludes, controversially, that the experiences of those living in subsistence economies may actually have been better, healthier and more fulfilled than the millions enjoying the affluence and luxury afforded by the economics of modern industrialisation and agriculture. This Routledge Classics edition includes a new foreword by David Graeber, London School of Economics.
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“In the world of the hunter-gatherer, the notion of wealth is measured not by possession, but by the abundance shared within the community.”
Stone Age Economics
By Marshall Sahlins
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Marshall Sahlins (1930-2021) was an influential American anthropologist and author, renowned for his pioneering work in the field of cultural anthropology. He is best known for his notable works such as 'Stone Age Economics' and 'Historical Metaphors and Mythical Realities,' where he examined the intersection of culture and social structures. Sahlins' writing is characterized by its rigorous analytical depth and a unique blend of theoretical insight and ethnographic data, often challenging conventional wisdom about society, economy, and history. His contributions have left a lasting impact on anthropology, highlighting the significance of culture in shaping human experience.
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