Economy and Colonialism

Economy and Colonialism

To anthropologists, capitalism is viewed as an activity that is entitled to take a significant time for it to develop fully. A good example is the beginning and the development of agriculture. Basing it to American heritage dictionary, capitalism is economic system with freedom in marketing and a significant increase in private and corporate ownership (Pandian, J & Parman, S, 2004, p. 18). On contrary, the economists examine it in detailed manner, entailing its merits and the demerits, busts and booms and possible prosperity and poverty.

Capitalism dates backs in 15th century and had fear promises as the food production levels were just stagnant. By this I mean that, it would not cater for the population within a given locality. This emerged as a result of limited food resources in large part of European countries. Capitalism level rose when the production of tomatoes, potatoes and grain intensified in North America. On other hand was the proliferation of the gold and silver from Aztec and trafficking of African slaves leading to acceleration of trade.

Capitalism is perceived as a stable system both internally and externally in that it demands a lot of flexibility and innovation for any form of survival. In a broader way, competition in this system has more advantages as every participant tries to master the art of trade (Pandian, J & Parman, S, 2004, p.68).

However, capitalism generates some demerits though induction of rules that limits the degree of diversity and levels of competition. These imbalances become barriers to proper flow in this system (Ortner, S, 2008, p.124). Anthropologist by the name Wright explains why it seemed to be difficult in implementing the anticipated economic growth through capitalism. In an interview, he asserts that the change of mind remained to be the only hindrance in realizing this dream. Lack of dialogue led to amnesia thus leading to unsustainability in its achievement of this system (Croucher & SpringerLink, 2011, p.6).

References

Croucher, S. K., Weiss, L., & SpringerLink (Online service). (2011). The archaeology of capitalism in colonial contexts: Postcolonial historical archaeologies. New York: Springer

Pandian, J., & Parman, S. (2004). The making of anthropology: The semiotics of self and other in the Western tradition. New Delhi: Vedams

Ortner, S. B. (2008). Anthropology and social theory: Culture, power, and the acting subject. Durham: Duke University Press