Cultural Anthropology: Tribes, States, and the Global System

Introduces basic concepts of cultural anthropology by comparing selected cultures of increasing scale — small-scale, autonomous tribal groups; large-scale, class-based civilizations & ancient empires; & global, industrial, & market-based civilizations — & focusing on universal issues about the human condition. Explores these issues from a comparative, anthropological perspective to determine how scale influences such basics as quality of life, domestic organization, intergroup relations, & relationship to the environment. Provides readers with a sound understanding of the worlds major cultural areas & dominant civilizations. Illustrated.