• DOI:10.1146/ANNUREV.AN.04.100175.002013
• Corpus ID: 2730688

Marxist Approaches in Anthropology

@article{OLaughlin1975MarxistAI,
  title={Marxist Approaches in Anthropology},
  author={Bridget O'Laughlin},
  journal={Annual Review of Anthropology},
  year={1975},
  volume={4},
  pages={341-370}
}

• B. O'Laughlin
• Published 1 October 1975
• Economics
• Annual Review of Anthropology

The purpose of this paper is to provide an introduction to the basic concepts and methods of historical materialism for anthropologists interested in applying this framework in their own work. It is not possible to cut out certain aspects of Marxism-such as the study of culture or of "primitive" societies-and assign them to anthropologists; Marx's emphasis on i ntegrated historical anal ysis of social totalities precludes the isolation of anthropology as a distinct discipline within the social sciences. I have instead used anthropological work, by way of illustration and contrast, primarily to elucidate Marxist theoretical constructs and methodological principles. A good deal of this essay is therefore devoted to criticism of conventional anthropological theoretical practice. I do not wish to apologize for this empha­ sis. Contrary to some peculiarly academic preconceptions, historical materi­ alism is not a fully articulated dogmatic grid (or structural theory) to be mechanistically imposed on any problem. Rather it is a working scientific tradition, struggling to develop theoretical understanding of specific historical problems in a world dominated by class conflict. Critical theory, seeking to penetrate the mystifications of our own ideology, is therefore an essential aspect of this process of scientific development. I do, however, wish to stress that my presentation does not encompass the ful l breadth of perspectives i n the Marxist tradition. The views expressed here have developed in the groups with which I have worked, 1 but there are other Marxist anthropologists-often working in small groups and publishing in radical jour­ nals-whose progress is not adequately reviewed. This paper, then, should be taken as a working approximation-an attempt to clarify certain fundamental issues-and as a very limited introduction to Marxist concepts and methods.