Author: Robbins, Joel

Source: Anthropological Forum, Volume 17, Number 3, November 2007 , pp. 299-308(10)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

Abstract:

In commenting on the papers in this special issue, I begin by discussing the need for anthropologists of the western Pacific to study ways individualism is emerging in the region and to attend in doing so to major Western theories of individualism. I then discuss the features of Macpherson's model of possessive individualism that make it particularly useful for anthropological work. Turning to the papers included here, I consider how they have taken up, challenged and extended Macpherson's ideas by putting them to work in understanding societies that engage the market to a greater or lesser extent but do not draw on it for their dominant models of social life.

Keywords: Individualism; Western Pacific; Cultural Change; Macpherson

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00664670701637750

Publication date: 2007-11-01

More about this publication?

• Editorial Board
• Information for Authors
• Subscribe to this Title
• ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Anthropology & Archeology ,  Sociology
• By this author: Robbins, Joel

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers