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So social obligation precedes debt and money. That's interesting. I think classical economics starts with barter because its psychology and anthropology is one
by woodandsteel 9y ago
So social obligation precedes debt and money. That's interesting.
I think classical economics starts with barter because its psychology and anthropology is one of humans being basically autonomous creatures who at some point voluntarily come together to engage in social relations.
However, what the science actually shows is that human beings have always been members of complex societies, and human psychology includes many social motives and mechanisms.
- frabbit 9y agoThat is roughly what I take from it. Graeber presents evidence to back up the idea that debt is precisely that which cannot be repaid or quantized and that the attempt to do so is "naturally" (from several examples) taken as an abnormal or hostile act. There are some really fascinating anthropological stories to support this. I really recommend the book.
- dalbasal 9y ago.. not exactly that it cannot/is never paid back, but that it is never fully cleared, in normal circumstances.
- frabbit 9y agoThank you for the precision. Yes. It is a web or network of unending obligation. Like his example of the women who are always heading off to give small amounts of foodstuffs in some complicated pattern.