Against -Isms

Abstract

Stereotypical histories of anthropology tend to revolve around a succession of theoretical stances described as ‘-isms’, for example, evolutionism, diffusionism, structural-functionalism, structuralism, transactionalism, processualism, etc. Labeling history in this way reveals a tendency to essentialize shifts and schools of thought. ‘Neoliberalism’ is another, recent, term. Viewpoints presented in this vein are promulgated by networks of power and influences in academia. The process of struggle against such networks is found in the early career difficulties of Fredrik Barth, who was later able to draw productively on American and British traditions of analysis, refusing to join bandwagons, and insisting on meeting the challenges each field area presented. He followed what can also be advocated generally, the aim of bringing theory and description appropriately together, as he did in Ethnic Groups and Boundaries.