Abstract
This article introduces the Journal of Political Ecology Special Section on 'towards a political ecology of applied anthropology.' We provide a brief overview and analysis of the history and application of applied and practicing anthropology. Examining moral and ethical issues related to the application of anthropology, we assess current endeavors and make suggestions for future directions from a political ecology perspective. Introducing five articles that exemplify our approach, we identify common themes and particular contexts that both unify and distinguish each of the contributions. Throughout this introduction, we propose a potential guidepost for a political-ecology informed applied anthropology: any applied anthropology that engages, documents, promotes, and supports cultural diversity, social justice and environmental sustainability is just. Conversely, any applied anthropology that threatens cultural diversity and environmental sustainability is unjust.Key words: applied anthropology, imperialism, political ecology, neoliberalism, ethics
Highlights
This article introduces the Journal of Political Ecology Special Section on 'towards a political ecology of applied anthropology.' We provide a brief overview and analysis of the history and application of applied and practicing anthropology
Utilizamos un definición de la antropología aplicada informada por la ecología política, que puede servir como hito: cualquier antropología aplicada es justa cuando dialogo con, documenta a, promueve y apoya a la diversidad cultural, la justicia social y la sustentabilidad ambiental
We identify some ethical signposts for applied anthropology and we highlight selected recent work in applied political ecology that simultaneously promotes social justice and environmental sustainability
Summary
In this Special Section, we are interested in starting (or continuing, for those who have already been engaging it) a discussion regarding the nature and aims of applied anthropology by viewing this field through the lens of political ecology. Since the global economic recession of 2008, 97% of the modest benefits of the US economic recovery have gone to elites, virtually shutting out the shrinking middle class and the burgeoning lower classes from any social or economic gains (Fuentes-Nieva and Galasso 2014) It is within this context of growing global oligarchy and plutocracy and attendant socio-environmental crises that humanity and anthropology find ourselves enmeshed. Following prominent social science thinkers in what has somewhat recently been coined the 'ontological turn' (Descola 2013; Latour 2014) and perhaps more importantly, various indigenous perspectives (Atleo 2012, 2004; Deloria 1979: Martinez 2003; Salmon 2012, 2003), we do not recognize an ontological divide between nature and culture It follows, that any anthropology that is generally supportive of cultural diversity will be dedicated to the study, promotion, and protection (where needed) of ecological diversity. Any applied anthropology that threatens cultural diversity and environmental sustainability is unjust
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