Activist anthropology

Abstract

Economic anthropology is a sub-discipline with a strong tradition of engaged scholarship. With the increased acceptance of, even demand for, political engagement in anthropology, economic anthropologists are increasingly embracing a number of activist stances and methods. After a brief history of engaged knowledge in anthropology, this chapter focuses on literature by scholars who call themselves activist anthropologists. Activist anthropology is a form of engaged anthropology that combines research with political activism. Activist anthropologists are involved in the political struggles of a particular group, seek to produce knowledge in collaboration with its members, and reflect on their activist involvement in their academic writing. The chapter outlines some basic premises of this work and gives examples of two versions of activist anthropology that have become increasingly established in recent years. It concludes with a discussion of the benefits, challenges and contradictions of activist research.