Economics and Social Anthropology—Reconciling Differences

Abstract

This paper is the outcome of collaborative work between an economist and a social anthropologist. It explores the differences of outlook and approach between these two subjects, both in general, and in the specific context of a research project, “The Management of Cooperative Strategies,” which tests economistic hypotheses using methods largely derived from social anthropology. There remain major dissonanaces between the two subjects, but an attempt is made here to find fruitful common ground.