Commentary: ethnography, critique and the state. Some thoughts on "fiscal anthropological insights into the heart of contemporary statehood"1. Issue 3 (2nd September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bierschenk, Thomas
• Is Part Of: Journal of legal pluralism and unofficial law. Volume 50:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 396
• Page End: 401
• Publication Date: 2018-09-02
• Subjects: Anthropology of the state -- expert knowledge -- ethnography -- 'studying up'; Legal polycentricity -- Periodicals; Customary law -- Periodicals; Ethnological jurisprudence -- Periodicals; 340.505
• DOI: 10.1080/07329113.2018.1558964
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0732-9113

Abstract

Abstract: This commentary explores the assets and liabilities of anthropology for the study of core functions of statehood (such as taxation) that increasingly become a matter of transnational negotiation and norm-making. It takes issue with some anthropologists' counter-hegemonic self-positioning, calling upon anthropologists to think harder about the conditions and challenges of studying highly formalized expert knowledge and the epistemological reflection this requires.