An Introduction to Two Theories of Social Anthropology

by Dumont, Louis; Parkin, Robert

• ISBN13: 9781845451479
• ISBN10: 1845451473
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-04-15
• Publisher: Berghahn Books
• More Book Details

Summary

The book is a translation of Louis Dumont's lectures on kinship, which provide a comprehensive but also idiosyncratic overview of descent theory and alliance theory for students. These two competing theories of kinship, associated respectively with the British and French schools of social anthropology, as well as the theoretical tendencies of functionalism and structuralism, dominated anthropological theory from the 1950s to the 1970s and are of fundamental historical significance. But Dumont's lectures also have stood the test of time and provide an excellent introductory account of kinship for the student. They also reflect his own structuralist sympathies and critical acumen in assessing the work of many of anthropology's great theoretical minds, among which he himself should be numbered.

Table of Contents

Editor's Introduction	vii
Preface	xxxi
Preface to the Tel Edition	xxxv
Part I: Kinship in the Work of Radcliffe-Brown
What is Kinship?	3	(4)
Notes and Queries	3	(2)
Radcliffe-Brown	5	(2)
The Meaning of `Kinship System'	7	(11)
The Principle	7	(1)
Characteristics of `Kinship Systems' according to Radcliffe-Brown	8	(1)
Sketch of a Theory of `Systems'	9	(5)
The Different Aspects of Kinship	14	(2)
The Nature of Kinship: A Recent Discussion	16	(2)
Interpersonal Relations and `Structural Principles'	18	(11)
Interpersonal Relations: Terminology and Behaviour	18	(4)
Radcliffe-Brown's `Structural Principles'	22	(2)
The Main Principle: Descent	24	(5)
Part II: The Theory of Unilineal Descent Groups
Before The Nuer	29	(6)
Descent according to Rivers	29	(2)
`Descent' and `Succession' in Radcliffe-Brown	31	(3)
Unilineal Descent and Other Modes of Descent	34	(1)
Evans-Pritchard: The Nuer	35	(15)
The Nuer: Structural Relativity	35	(3)
The Nuer: Political System and Lineage System	38	(2)
The Nuer: Clarifications and Explanations	40	(2)
The Nuer: Mode of Correspondence between the Political System and the Lineage System	42	(4)
The Idea of Structure in The Nuer	46	(4)
After The Nuer	50	(11)
Meyer Fortes	50	(5)
Jack Goody	55	(6)
Part III: The Theory of Marriage Alliance
Levi-Strauss: Elementary Structures	61	(27)
Introduction	61	(4)
Elementary Structures: General Outline of the Theory	65	(3)
Systems with Global Formulas: Australia	68	(2)
Definitions: Restricted Exchange and Generalised Exchange; Harmony and Disharmony	70	(4)
Cross-Cousin Marriage: Bilateral Form	74	(2)
Cross-Cousin Marriage: Matrilateral Form	76	(3)
Cross-Cousin Marriage: Patrilateral Form	79	(2)
Cross-Cousin Marriage and Kinship Terminology	81	(4)
Conclusion: The Contribution of Elementary Structures	85	(3)
After Elementary Structures	88	(12)
Local and Global Points of View	88	(5)
Exogamous Unit and `Exchange' Unit	89	(1)
Intermarriage in a Circle	90	(1)
Oriented Intermarriage and `Hypergamy'	91	(2)
Prescription and Preference: Patrilateral Marriage	93	(3)
Social Integration and Mental Integration	96	(4)
Basic Bibliography	100	(2)
Other References in Text	102	(3)
Index	105