Towards a New Marxism or a New Anthropology?

Abstract

It is our intention in the conclusion to this collection of readings to attempt a critical evaluation of the state of 'Marxist anthropology'. We feel that the time is ripe for a detailed look at the contributions made by the relatively large and growing number of researchers who have claimed inspiration in their approach to pre-capitalist societies in the work of Marx and the theorists of the Marxist tradition. It is also necessary, however, to uncover the basic assumptions upon which various Marxist anthropologies have been built, to see if they stand up to critical scrutiny and to provide our own view of the proper relation between Marxism, anthropology and the study of pre-capitalist societies.