Reference no: EM133472062

Question

1. People in all societies around the world work. The work is done for a variety of reasons. Using the information provided in Chapter 7, provide the different reasons ("incentives") due to which people work in different cultures. We often assume that people will work as much as they can to produce wealth (or surplus) for themselves. Peasants, however, are found to behave differently.

The "Chayanov's Rule" explains the economic behavior of peasant households.

Explain the Rule and the reasons for its existence.

2. Refer to the article ("Sustforestdev," posted May 25), "Forest Development, the Indian Way." With the help of examples of specific techniques devised and used by the Guarani (e.g. "slash-and-burn" agriculture, "ecozones," "crop rotation") describe how indigenous knowledge and practices of the Guarani people can contribute to the sustainable development of the Amazon rainforests. Why do you think indigenous knowledge is not often respected and acknowledged by outsiders?

3. Traditionally in most societies people produced (crops or other goods) primarily for their own domestic use (subsistence). Over time commercialization took place; that is, people began to produce for the markets and for profit. Often this shift from subsistence to commercial production happened gradually and almost unintentionally. Using the example of the Mundurucu people of Amazon (Chapter 7), explain why they got involved in commercial rubber production. How did this effect their society? Do you think the Mundurucu case offers lessons for other indigenous people who are in theprocess of shifting to commercial production? If so, what might be these lessons? 

4. For thousands of years humans have related to each other through ties of reciprocity (exchange of things or favors for mutual benefit). The textbook describes two main kinds of reciprocity: generalized reciprocity and balanced reciprocity.

Describe them and the social situations in which they are likely to be practiced. At first glance, generalized reciprocity may seem like irrational behavior. However, the textbook provides logical reasons to explain the existence of generalized reciprocity. Describe these reasons. Do you find them convincing? Why? Or why not?