Homo Africanus: Antiquus or Oeconomicus? Some Interpretations of African Economic History

1977 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-178
Author(s):  
B. Marie Perinbam
Keyword(s):  
Market Economy ◽  
Economic History ◽  
Economic Behavior ◽  
Social Constraints ◽  
Social Embeddedness ◽  
Input Output ◽  
Economic Data ◽  
Material Goods ◽  
Unique Relationship

From an inquiry into three distinct interpretations of African economic data, we have suggested thathomo africanus is oeconomicusrather thanantiquus. First, while substantivists (traditionalists) and modernists (developmental economists) appropriately subordinatedhomo africanus'economic behavior to social considerations, they mistakenly de-emphasized the role of markets, especially in economies where market contacts were peripheral. Consequently (since their model for comparative economic behavior was that of the traditional selfregulating market economy), they concluded thathomo africanus antiquus est. Second, believing that when stripped of their cultural impedimenta, all economies conformed to the same laws, formalists 45 Both Maurice Godelier and Emmanuel Terray have criticized him for argued thathomo africanus oeconomicus est. Accordingly, they recommended modifications and applications of concepts such as rationalization, maximization, the scarcity postulate, surpluses, input, output levels, pricing and profits, and quantification in general.Third, we examined the models of the French structuralist neo-Marxists who, bypositing homo africanuswithin select categories of materialist history, have maintained that structurally, materially and existentially, he wasoeconomicus. Beginning with an inquiry into modes of production, they averred that he produced, consumed and circulated material goods by virtue of his existence within a social structure and superstructure which was materially determined. Accordingly, they revealed his unique relationship to the market. Moreover, structuralist neo-Marxists have transformed the substantivist theory of social "embeddedness" (or the subordination of an economy to social constraints which act as cultural obstacles to change) into a social "realization" or reflection of change within production modes, whose inner structure is transformed according to the dialectic. Their model, therefore, not only has more depth and dynamism than that of the substantivists, but its structural linkages are causally related.

scholarly journals “Names doing rounds”: On brands in the bazaar economy

2021 ◽  
pp. 146954052198939
Author(s):  
Maitrayee Deka ◽  
Adam Arvidsson
Keyword(s):  
Innovation System ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Alternative Perspective ◽  
Consumer Economy ◽  
Material Goods ◽  
The Creation ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Unique Relationship ◽  
Close Contacts

This article draws on fieldwork form Delhi’s garment and electronics bazaars to articulate an alternative perspective on the role of brands in the global bazaar economy. Knockoffs and counterfeit brands have mostly been viewed as problematic manifestations of counterfeiting and piracy, or framed in terms of authenticity or marginal practices of imitation. In this article, we suggest that bazaar brands also function as central to a growing popular innovation system able to provide material goods as well as immaterial experiences to the world’s poorer consumers in ways that stay in close contacts with the mediated fluctuations of popular affects. Bazaar brands develop a unique relationship with consumers based on an ability to seize the moment rather than the creation of enduring loyalties. We suggest that bazaar brands can be understood as central to an emerging postcapitalist consumer economy that has been substantially empowered by the spread of digital technologies.

Political and Economic Factors of Russian Regions Development

2003 ◽  
pp. 67-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Pelyasov
Keyword(s):  
Russian Federation ◽  
Economic History ◽  
Socioeconomic Development ◽  
Economic Behavior ◽  
Russian Regions ◽  
Corporate Structure ◽  
Ethnic Factors ◽  
Basic Features ◽  
Contemporary Development

The results of the study of 15 Russian regions conducted in the framework of the Federal Target Program "Diminishing discrepancies in socioeconomic development of the regions of Russian Federation (2002-2010 and till the Year 2015)" are presented in the article. Basic features of two models of regional power's economic behavior (rent-seeking and self-constraint), the role of regional economic, social and natural gaps in contemporary development of the subjects of Russian Federation are determined. The notion of the integral type of activity is introduced. The importance of landscape and ethnic factors in using schemes of property rights on basic regional resources is shown. On the example of some Russian regions with long lasting feudal model of land ownership the role of economic history in forming contemporary fragmented corporate structure of regional economy and poorly integrated regional agrarian markets is demonstrated.

KEGAGALAN PRIVATISASI BUMN DI ERA REZIM ORDE BARU DALAM PERSPEKTIF EKONOMI POLITIK

Wacana Publik ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (02) ◽  
Author(s):  
Syamsul Ma'arif
Keyword(s):  
Market Economy ◽  
Free Market ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
The State ◽  
Early Years ◽  
New Order ◽  
Free Market Economy ◽  
Economic Sectors ◽  
Role Of The State

After had being carried out nationalization and hostility against west countries, the New Order regime made important decision to change Indonesia economic direction from etatism system to free market economy. A set of policies were taken in order private sector could play major role in economic. However, when another economic sectors were reformed substantially, effords to reform the State Owned Enterprises had failed. The State Owned Enterprise, in fact, remained to play dominant role like early years of guided democracy era. Role of the State Owned Enterprises was more and more powerfull). The main problem of reforms finally lied on reality that vested interest of bureaucrats (civil or military) was so large that could’nt been overcome. 

KAUTILYA ON THE SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY OF ACCOUNTING, ORGANIZATIONAL DESIGN AND THE ROLE OF ETHICS IN ANCIENT INDIA

2004 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Balbir S. Sihag
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Economic Performance ◽  
Organizational Design ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Ethical Values ◽  
Allocation Of Resources ◽  
Economic Data ◽  
Ancient India

Kautilya, a 4th century B.C.E. economist, recognized the importance of accounting methods in economic enterprises. He realized that a proper measurement of economic performance was absolutely essential for efficient allocation of resources, which was considered an important source of economic development. He viewed philosophy and political science as separate disciplines but considered accounting an integral part of economics. He specified a very broad scope for accounting and considered explanation and prediction as its proper objectives. Kautilya developed bookkeeping rules to record and classify economic data, emphasized the critical role of independent periodic audits and proposed the establishment of two important but separate offices - the Treasurer and Comptroller-Auditor, to increase accountability, specialization, and above all to reduce the scope for conflicts of interest. He also linked the successful enforcement of rules and regulations to their clarity, consistency and completeness. Kautilya believed that such measures were necessary but not sufficient to eliminate fraudulent accounting. He also emphasized the role of ethics, considering ethical values as the glue which binds society and promotes economic development.

scholarly journals Solidarity with disabled people in times of crisis: A comparative analysis of Italy and the UK

2021 ◽  
pp. 026858092199450
Author(s):  
Nicola Maggini ◽  
Tom Montgomery ◽  
Simone Baglioni
Keyword(s):  
Social Trust ◽  
Important Determinant ◽  
Social Embeddedness ◽  
Disabled People ◽  
The Social ◽  
Religious Piety ◽  
Active Nature ◽  
The One ◽  
The Uk

Against the background of crisis and cuts, citizens can express solidarity with groups in various ways. Using novel survey data this article explores the attitudes and behaviours of citizens in their expressions of solidarity with disabled people and in doing so illuminates the differences and similarities across two European contexts: Italy and the UK. The findings reveal pools of solidarity with disabled people across both countries that have on the one hand similar foundations such as the social embeddedness and social trust of citizens, while on the other hand contain some differences, such as the more direct and active nature of solidarity in Italy compared to the UK and the role of religiosity as an important determinant, particularly in Italy. Across both countries the role of ‘deservingness’ was key to understanding solidarity, and the study’s conclusions raise questions about a solidarity embedded by a degree of paternalism and even religious piety.

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