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Answer: In the modern world, nations and societies are becoming more and more interdependent, both economically and politically. This process has accelerated since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in the 17th and 18th centuries. The modern world system increasingly impacts local communities, so all anthropologists must be aware of its effects, including the reconfiguration of the world system and its consequences, including industrial degradation and genocide. Answer: There probably has never been a truly isolated culture. Throughout human history, societies have interacted with and been influenced by their neighbors. Today, all societies are increasingly participating in a worldwide capitalism system. Even in the most remote locations, such as the highlands of Papua New Guinea or the tropical forests of South America, a visitor is likely to encounter missionaries or prospectors. Answer: In the 20th century, industrialization added hundreds of new industries and millions of new jobs. Production increased, often beyond immediate demand. This spurred strategies, such as advertising, intended to sell everything produced by industry. A culture of consumption has resulted. Although there have been many benefits of industrialization, they have not been shared equally. In general, those with capital—who own the means of production—benefit more from industrialization than do people who must sell their labor. Although capitalists dominate in most countries, growing wealth has made it possible for core nations to pay workers higher wages. However, the improvement in core workers' living standards has been made possible by the world system. The added surplus that comes from the periphery allows core capitalists to maintain profits while at the same time satisfying the demands of core workers. Meanwhile, in the periphery, wages and living standards remain much lower. Answer: An intervention philosophy is an ideological justification for outsiders to guide native peoples in specific directions. Britain's notion of "the white man's burden" and France's "mission civilisatrice" are examples of intervention philosophies used to justify colonialism. However, such philosophies are not unique to colonial regimes. Economic development plans also have intervention philosophies. Interventions—whether by colonialists, missionaries, governments, or development planners—are based on the belief that industrialization, modernization, Westernization, and individualism are desirable evolutionary advances and that development schemes that promote them will bring long-term benefits to local people. Answer: Postcolonialism refers to the interactions between European nations and their former colonies. Postcolonial studies focus on various topics, including the formation of empires, the impact of colonization, and the state of postcolonies today. The term "postcolonial" is also used to describe the second half of the 20th century, the period succeeding colonialism, as well as a position against imperialism and Eurocentrism. |