Modes of Comparison

by Yengoyan, Aram

• ISBN13: 9780472069187
• ISBN10: 0472069187
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-08-24
• Publisher: Univ of Michigan Pr

Summary

InModes of Comparison: Theory and Practice, the contributors highlight how theoretical problems have brought forth new ideas on comparison and how comparison has become pivotal in the human sciences. Many of the chapters in this interdisciplinary volume update landmark essays from the journalComparative Studies in Society and History. Each of the essays questions a number of critical and contemporary issues in history, sociology, and anthropology as they relate to various ideas of comparison. The authors set out comparative projects, discuss the difficulties of identifying baseline processes, and reflect on the contemporary challenges of organizing their analyses in ways that are both methodologically responsible and theoretically compelling. "As a sign that the Zeitgeist may be changing Yengoyan has brought together a stimulating set of articles that demonstrate the strategic importance of comparison for the humanities and social sciences." Melford Spiro, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology, University of California, San Diego "The best of the best: conceptually inspired and deftly edited comparative studies from the multidisciplinary journal that calls the field." Michael Lambek, London School of Economics "Essays on theory, exemplary applications, fresh discoveries, classic articlesa rich collection on comparative study. Each piece is a gem." Thomas R. Trautmann, Professor of History and Anthropology, University of Michigan "Through rich and provocative explorations integrating anthropology and history,Modes of Comparisonchallenges localist biases and offers exciting new directions." Jane H. Hill, Regents' Professor of Anthropology and Linguistics, University of Arizona "A splendid review of the uses of comparison in history and anthropology. A wide variety of vivid case examples is illuminated by a broad range of general principles." Clifford Geertz, School of Social Science, Institute for Advanced Study Aram A. Yengoyanis Professor of Anthropology at the University of California, Davis.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations	xi
Introduction: On the Issue of Comparison
Aram A. Yengoyan
I. ON THINKING COMPARATIVELY
From the History of Mentalities to Anthropological History	31	(14)
André Burguière
Regulation Theory, Post-Marxism, and the Transition from the New Social Movements to Anti-Globalization and the Far Right	45	(53)
George Steinmetz
The Case for Comparing Histories	98	(20)
Raymond Grew
On Rereading an Earlier Essay	118	(19)
Raymond Grew
Comparison and Its Discontents	137	(24)
Aram A. Yengoyan
2. COMPARING GLOBALLY
Frazer, Leach, and Virgil: The Popularity (and Unpopularity) of The Golden Bough	161	(32)
Mary Beard
Afterword Mary Beard	188	(5)
Cowries and Conquest: Toward a Subalternate Quality Theory of Money	193	(27)
Chris Gregory
Cowries and Conquest: Prelude to a Postscript	220	(6)
Chris Gregory
Global Violence and Nationalizing Wars in Eurasia and America: The Geopolitics of War in the Mid-Nineteenth Century	226	(46)
Michael Geyer and Charles Bright
Postscript: On Regional Transformation, Globalization, and War, with some Afterthoughts on Comparative and Global History	272	(13)
Charles Bright and Michael Geyer
3. MAKING DISCOVERIES
Testing Paradigms with Comparative Perspectives: British India and Patterns of Scientific and Technology Transfer in the Age of European Global Hegemony	285	(34)
Michael Adas
Race, Ethnicity, Species, and Breed: Totemism and Horse-Breed Classification in America	319	(32)
John Borneman
Postscript: Reflections on Totemism Tomorrow: Horse. Breeds and Breeding in the United States and France	351	(15)
John Borneman
The Cities of Avignon and Worms as Expressions of European Community, 1945-1975	366	(54)
Beverly Heckart
Flowers and Bones: Approaches to the Dead in Anglo-American and Italian Cemeteries	420	(37)
Jack Goody and Cesare Poppi
Flowers and Bones: Posthumous Reflections	457	(20)
Cesare Poppi
Contributors	477