121-060 Power, Ideology and Inequality

This subject offers a comparative perspective on the distribution of inequalities in human societies over time and in contemporary cultures. The aim of the subject is to investigate the varied manifestations of interactions between power, ideologies and the material world. This will involve us in discussions of the nature of 'egalitarianism' and 'hierarchy' and the way in which concepts developed by social theorists influence our understanding of indigenous ideas, theories and practice. Issues of gender, knowledge production, and access to scarce resources will be considered in relation to political processes and structures through case studies of caste, gerontocracy, Pacific leadership, divine monarchies and colonial cultures. The interplay between domination and resistance will be discussed in the context of colonial and post-colonial states and globalisation. There is a strong area focus on the Asia-Pacific region.

Class paper, take home exam and research essay totalling 4000 words.

A subject reader will be available.