Anthropology's Role in Addressing Climate Change and Capitalism

1 Anthropology and Climate Change Student’s Name Professor’s Name Course Due Date

2 Introduction Anthropology is a discipline that aims to understand human societies and cultures. Contemporary anthropologists have focused on issues such as climate change and capitalism. This essay examines how Ryan Cecil Jobson and Karen Ho discuss contemporary capitalism and environmental matters. Jobson discusses the idea of letting anthropology burn, while Ho explores the acceleration of extraction in the finance industry. Both authors develop vital concepts and ideas that help us understand the environmental crisis and capitalism. Capitalism and the Acceleration of Extraction Karen Ho explores the acceleration of extraction in the finance industry. The author argues that the finance industry has become more focused on short-term profits, which has led to the extraction of value from different sectors of the economy. 1 This extraction acceleration is driven by investors' demands for quick investment returns. Ho contends that the extraction acceleration has negatively affected society and the environment. Ho's work is based on the concept of neoliberalism, which is an economic system that emphasizes free markets and individualism. Neoliberalism has been linked to the acceleration of extraction, as it prioritizes short-term profits over long-term sustainability. Ho claims that the finance industry needs to embrace a more sustainable approach that considers the long-term consequences of its actions. 2 One basic theme from Ho's work is the relationship between capitalism and the environment. Ho states that the acceleration of extraction has negatively affected the 1 Ho, Karen. "Finance, Circa 1980s: The Acceleration of Extraction." Feral Atlas: The More-than-Human Anthropocene. (2021). https://feralatlas.supdigital.org/?cd=true&rr=true&cdex=true&text=ho- acceleration&ttype=essay. 2 Ibid.

3 environment. 3 The finance industry's focus on short-term profits has led to the extraction of natural resources without consideration for the long-term consequences. This has contributed to the environmental crisis we face today. In addition to the negative environmental impacts, Ho highlights the extraction acceleration's social and economic consequences. The author confers that the finance industry's focus on short-term profits has contributed to growing income inequality and social unrest. 4 As profits are extracted from different sectors of the economy, workers are often left with lower wages and fewer benefits. This has led to growing economic insecurity and a widening gap between the rich and the poor. Ho suggests that a more sustainable approach to finance could help address these social and economic issues. Another critical concept in Ho's work is the idea of financialization. Financialization refers to the increasing importance of the finance industry in the economy. Ho argues that financialization has contributed to the acceleration of extraction, as financial institutions prioritize short-term profits over long-term sustainability. 5 Financialization has also led to a shift in power from workers and communities to financial elites who control the flow of capital. This has contributed to growing economic inequality and a concentration of wealth in the hands of a few. Ho challenges us to rethink our assumptions about the role of finance in the economy. The author suggests that we need to move away from a model of finance that prioritizes short- term profits and instead embrace a more sustainable approach that considers the long-term consequences of our actions. This requires a fundamental shift in our economic and political 3 Ibid. 4 Ibid. 5 Ibid.

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

4 systems, prioritizing the well-being of people and the environment over the demands of investors and financial elites. Jobson's Case for Letting Anthropology Burn Ryan Cecil Jobson argues for the need to let anthropology burn in response to the environmental crisis. Jobson suggests that anthropologists need to reflect on their role in contributing to the current state of the environment. 6 Anthropology has contributed to the idea of progress, which has led to the exploitation of natural resources and the destruction of the environment. The author states that the discipline of anthropology needs to embrace its role in contributing to the environmental crisis and engage with the broader public in creating a sustainable future. 7 Jobson's argument is based on the concept of reflexivity, which is the idea that anthropologists need to reflect on their role in shaping the world. Reflexivity is a key concept in contemporary anthropology, and it is particularly relevant in the context of the environmental crisis. Anthropologists must recognize their role in shaping the world and engage with the public to create a more sustainable future. Jobson also discusses the concept of environmental justice, which is the idea that environmental problems are not evenly distributed but instead concentrated in marginalized communities. He claims that anthropologists need to engage with issues of ecological justice and consider the voices and experiences of those most affected by the environmental crisis. 8 This requires a shift in how anthropologists approach their research, moving away from the traditional 6 Jobson, Ryan Cecil. "The Case for Letting Anthropology Burn: Sociocultural Anthropology in 2019." American Anthropologist 121, no. 3 (2019): 571-583. 7 Ibid. 8 Ibid.

5 focus on individual cultures and societies and towards a broader perspective that takes into global account systems and power relations. Another unique concept that Jobson addresses is the relationship between capitalism and the environment. The author discusses that capitalism is inherently destructive to the environment, as it prioritizes the accumulation of wealth over the well-being of the planet. 9 Anthropologists must engage with how capitalism shapes our understanding of the environment and our relationship to it. This requires a critical approach to the role of corporations and the market in shaping our environmental policies and understanding the political and economic structures that underlie the current ecological crisis. In contrast to Jobson's focus on the environment and capitalism, Ho explores the relationship between finance capitalism and the broader political and cultural landscape. Ho believes that the financial industry has played a significant role in shaping contemporary society, particularly in the United States, where the financial sector has become increasingly dominant. 10 She suggests that various cultural and political factors have facilitated this dominance, including the rise of neoliberalism and the decline of labor unions. Ho's argument is also based on the concept of extraction, which is the idea that finance capitalism extracts value from the economy without necessarily contributing to it. This extraction process is not just economic but also cultural and political, as finance capitalism shapes how we think about work, success, and the future. Ho argues that anthropology can play a crucial role in 9 Ibid. 10 Ho, Karen. "Finance, Circa 1980s: The Acceleration of Extraction." Feral Atlas: The More-than-Human Anthropocene. (2021). https://feralatlas.supdigital.org/?cd=true&rr=true&cdex=true&text=ho- acceleration&ttype=essay .

6 understanding and critiquing this extraction process by examining the cultural and political factors that enable finance capitalism to thrive. 11 Connecting Anthropology and Capitalism The work of Jobson and Ho can be connected through their focus on reflexivity. Both authors recognize the importance of reflecting on our role in shaping the world. Jobson argues that anthropologists need to embrace their role in contributing to the environmental crisis, while Ho suggests that the finance industry needs to adopt a more sustainable approach. Both authors also recognize the negative consequences of capitalism. Jobson argues that progress has led to the destruction of the environment, while Ho suggests that the acceleration of extraction has had negative implications for society and the environment. Both authors suggest we must rethink our approach to capitalism to create a more sustainable future. One key theme that connects the work of Jobson and Ho is the concept of power. Both authors recognize that power is at the heart of many of the issues facing the contemporary world. Jobson argues that colonialism and capitalism have historically been intertwined, leading to a concentration of power and wealth in the hands of a few. 12 This concentration of power has allowed those in power to exploit the environment and marginalized communities for their benefit. Similarly, Ho argues that the finance industry has consolidated power in the hands of a few, leading to a system that benefits the wealthy at the expense of the environment and the wider society. 13 11Ibid. 12 Jobson, Ryan Cecil. "The Case for Letting Anthropology Burn: Sociocultural Anthropology in 2019." American Anthropologist 121, no. 3 (2019): 571-583. 13 Ho, Karen. "Finance, Circa 1980s: The Acceleration of Extraction." Feral Atlas: The More-than-Human Anthropocene. (2021). https://feralatlas.supdigital.org/?cd=true&rr=true&cdex=true&text=ho- acceleration&ttype=essay .

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

7 Furthermore, both authors recognize the importance of local knowledge and community engagement in finding solutions to contemporary world problems. Jobson argues that indigenous knowledge can provide valuable insights into sustainable living. At the same time, Ho suggests that local communities must be engaged in decision-making regarding issues such as resource extraction. Conclusion The work of Ryan Cecil Jobson and Karen Ho provides essential insights into contemporary issues related to the environment and capitalism. Both authors develop vital concepts and ideas that help us understand the environmental crisis and capitalism. Jobson's concept of reflexivity highlights the need for anthropologists to reflect on their role in shaping the world. In contrast, Ho's work on the acceleration of extraction highlights the negative consequences of short-term thinking in the finance industry. By connecting these ideas, we can better understand our challenges in creating a sustainable future. Bibliography Ho, Karen. "Finance, Circa 1980s: The Acceleration of Extraction." Feral Atlas: The More-than- Human Anthropocene. (2021). https://feralatlas.supdigital.org/? cd=true&rr=true&cdex=true&text=ho-acceleration&ttype=essay . Jobson, Ryan Cecil. "The Case for Letting Anthropology Burn: Sociocultural Anthropology in 2019." American Anthropologist 121, no. 3 (2019): 571-583.

8

5318675................Progress Report.edited

Related Documents