'A highly original thinker' - New York Times
David Graeber (1961–2020) was an American anthropologist and anarchist activist, who left us with new ways to understand humankind. Graeber's work focused on critiquing the ways in which power and hierarchy shape social and economic systems, and advocating for more equitable and just alternatives. This collection of new writing brings together his insights into one book, showing how deeply his work continues to influence us today.
Graeber’s writing resonates with both scholars and activists looking to shake things up. His work is broad in scope, from birth to banking, and he picks open social hierarchy and political power to expose what really makes human society tick.
In today’s neoliberal world, we can turn to his legacy to provide a way for us to understand what went wrong, and how to fix it. This collection of writings is both an introduction to his life and works, a guide to his key ideas, and an inspiring example of how anthropologists are continuing to use his work today.
Author(s): Holly High; Joshua O. Reno
Series: Anthropology, Culture and Society
Publisher: Pluto Press
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: xii; 218
City: London
Cover
Contents
List of Illustrations vi
Series Preface vii
Preface viii
Holly High and Joshua O. Reno
Introduction: David Graeber in the Library Stacks 1
Holly High and Joshua O. Reno
1. On Morons 28
Joshua O. Reno
2. Birthing Possibilities 52
Holly High
3. Actually Existing Anarchist Anthropology 79
Holly High and Joshua O. Reno
4. Ka Mate, Ka Ora: On Truth, Lies, and Knowing the Difference 96
Georgina Tuari Stewart
5. Actualizing the Public University: For Debt-Free, Antiracist, Accessible, Quality Higher Education 114
Sharad Chari
6. Reading Graeber, Leach, and a Revolution in Myanmar 130
Michael Edwards
7. Debt and Political Possibility in Eritrea 155
Michael Ralph
8. Common(s) Currency: Collectivized Hoards and the Regulation of Money 174
Gustav Peebles
9. Notes on Confronting the System 193
David Pedersen
Afterword: Putting Pluralism into Practice: You Have To Be There 202
Bill Maurer
Notes on Contributors 210
Index 213