Agents of Change

ANTH 305: Dr. Gabany-Guerrero

2
ANTH 305: Dr. GabanyGuerrero

Social Change and Religion

Durkheim used a static analysis to the study of societies collective representations in stable societies (synchronic approach slice in time) Weber emphasized social change in changing societies through time (diachronic approach)
Weber:
Calvinism was an early split from the Roman Catholic Church during the 16th century

Christian Denominations
ANTH 305: Dr. GabanyGuerrero

Source: Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps, and Time Lines (Torrance, CA: Rose, 2005:179)

Protestant Ethic & Rise of Capitalism

Major difference between Catholicism and Calvinism
Catholic belief: holiness is achieved through removal from the world e.g. reclusive life of a monk or nun Calvinist belief: holiness is achieved through living life in the world

ANTH 305: Dr. GabanyGuerrero

5
ANTH 305: Dr. GabanyGuerrero

Rise of Capitalism and Calvinism

Rise of capitalism stimulated two ideas that were fundamental to Calvinism:
the calling or vocation predestination
This was the belief that before he created humanity, God had already chosen those who would be safe (Hicks 2010; 411).
Puritans needed to find the proof that they were the chosen to be safe, and as Weber thought this was wealth. Wealth was proof of divine favor (Hicks 2010: 412). This therefore created a social change that encouraged capitalism

6
ANTH 305: Dr. GabanyGuerrero

Revitalization Movements
Characterized by radical change with the focus on a prophet, provoked by social, economic, and political upheavals (Hicks 2010: 412).
These movements usually fail, because they were based on unrealistic expectations.

7
ANTH 305: Dr. GabanyGuerrero

Millenarian Movements
Focus on a specific time when their goals will be fulfilled. end of days
Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints is an example.

Melanesia is one place where millenarian movements, emerged

cargo cults are forms of millenarian movement

8
ANTH 305: Dr. GabanyGuerrero

Max Weber

9
ANTH 305: Dr. GabanyGuerrero

Sociological Structure of Judaism

In Jewish religion, wealth and sexual indulgence are seen as naturalistic rewards.
Marriage is seen as an economic institution for the production and rearing of children is universal and has nothing specifically Jewish about it (Hicks 2010: 413). Wealth is regarded as a gift from God.
Economic success could be interpreted as a sign that one was personally acceptable to God. (Hicks 2010:414)

10
ANTH 305: Dr. GabanyGuerrero

Wealth and Business in the Jewish religion

Judaism played a significant role in the development of modern capitalism system.
Economic achievements: money-changing; moneyforwarding; or check-cashing

11
ANTH 305: Dr. GabanyGuerrero

Wealth for Puritans

For Puritans, wealth was a sign of religious graciousness. Puritans could demonstrate religious merit through economic activity Self-control in earthly life was tied to the afterlife

12
ANTH 305: Dr. GabanyGuerrero

Anthony F. C. Wallace

13
ANTH 305: Dr. GabanyGuerrero

Introduction
Organization of Wallaces paper
1. An introductory statement of the concept of revitalization 2. An outline of certain uniformly-found processual dimensions of revitalization movements.

14
ANTH 305: Dr. GabanyGuerrero

The Concept of Revitalization

Deliberate, organized, conscious effort by members of society to construct a more satisfying culture (Hicks 2010: 424).
Cultural change phenomenon:
people inside the movement need to perceive their culture as a system an unsatisfactory system which must be changed

Therefore they are required to innovate within the same culture to create new outcomes.

15
ANTH 305: Dr. GabanyGuerrero

Options for Cultural Change

Evolution Drift Diffusion Historical Change Acculturation

16
ANTH 305: Dr. GabanyGuerrero

Organismic Analogy
Humans seen as an organism and
culture is defined as
Patterns of learned behavior Displayed by parts (individuals and groups) of a specific society Interconnected integrated

Individual envisions (mental image) of a whole society

Gestalt =mazeway is nature, culture, personality, and body image, as seen by one person. (Hicks 2010:426)

17
ANTH 305: Dr. GabanyGuerrero

What is revitalized?
Changing the mazeway
Change in the total Gestalt Changes in the real system

18
ANTH 305: Dr. GabanyGuerrero

Categories of Revitalization Movements

Nativistic = eliminate outsiders and outside customs Revivalist = bring back previous mazeways Cargo Cults = importation of foreign values into the mazeway through physical objects Vitalistic = importation of foreign values into the mazeway Millenarian = mazeway is an apocalyptic world transformation by the supernatural Messianic = participation of a savior in human flesh in the mazeway transformation

19
ANTH 305: Dr. GabanyGuerrero

The Processual Structure

Event-Analysis is the method Five overlapping stages:
1. Steady state = tolerable stress 2. Period of individual stress = acculturation may be a way of adapting to mazeway disintegration 3. Period of Cultural Distortion = prolonged stress in which culture is internally distorted > disillusionment and apathy

20
ANTH 305: Dr. GabanyGuerrero

Processual Structure 2
4. Period of Revitalization = inspiration, insight or revelation

A. Mazeway reformulation = B. Communication= C. Organization= D. Adaptation=

Prophetic experience (may be prophetic dreams) organizes the change usually through an individual or a small group Speaking/Outreach/Tweeting communicating the message Disciples and Converts are organized through charismatic leadership

Because the movement involves a change in Gestalt and reality resistance is expected by the status quo
Force, coercion or other strategies of adaptation

E. Cultural Transformation= F. Routinization =

Part of the population accepts the change and participates in an organized program of group action Setting up the new normal

5. New Steady state achieved which is different from the past

21
ANTH 305: Dr. GabanyGuerrero

Varieties and Dimensions of Variation

Choices made by the movement 1. Identification 2. Secular and/or Religious Means 3. Nativism 4. Success and Failure

22
ANTH 305: Dr. GabanyGuerrero

Peter M. Worsley

23
ANTH 305: Dr. GabanyGuerrero

Outside Agressors
Colonial invasions
Missionary projects in the 19th century Followed by plantation economies which depended upon ship cargo for both import of luxury goods and export of plantation products Secret of the cargos

World War II:

Direct incursions of military aggression from both Japanese and Allied (Australian/British/U.S.) forces air, naval and patrols

24
ANTH 305: Dr. GabanyGuerrero

Cargo
New Guinea 1946 -- prophesy fulfilled when the English arrive in ships and planes
cargo Pidgin English for trade goods Butchered all pigs Expected pigs to fall from the sky to replenish the people

Shock of the first encounter with outsiders

Technological conflict

25
ANTH 305: Dr. GabanyGuerrero

Cargo Cult in Melanesia

Combination of Native and Christian belief systems
World is about to end in a disaster God and ancestors will appear A new paradise will be created on earth
Death, old age, illness and evil will be defeated People will become wealthy

26
ANTH 305: Dr. GabanyGuerrero

The future of Cargo Cults

Worsley thinks that as secular political organizations develop, cargo cults will diminish in importance Participation in the world economy may lead to more observed forms of protest, like strikes, social movements, political parties, revolts and revolutions