Society for Economic Anthropology

The Society for Economic Anthropology (SEA) is a group of anthropologists, archaeologists, economists, geographers and other scholars interested in the connections between economics and social life. Its members take a variety of approaches to economics: some have a substantivist perspective, while others are interested in the new institutional economics. Every year the SEA holds a spring meeting focused on a specific topic in economic anthropology. The journal Economic Anthropology  is also produced annually, based on the meeting. The SEA is a section of the American Anthropological Association.

The society was founded in 1980. Harold K. Schneider served as the first president, from 1980 until 1982.

Topics of recent spring meetings

 * 2010 - Contested Economies: Global Tourism and Cultural Heritage

This conference explored the ways in which tourism and cultural heritage are being contested in the global economy. Topics included the commodification of culture, the impact of tourism on local communities, and the role of heritage in development.


 * 2009 - Weaving Across Time and Space: The Political Economy of Textiles

This conference examined the political economy of textiles from a global perspective. Topics included the production, circulation, and consumption of textiles, as well as the role of textiles in identity, gender, and power relations.


 * 2008 - Cooperation

This conference explored the different forms of cooperation that exist in human societies, from the informal cooperation of family and friends to the formal cooperation of governments and businesses. Topics included the benefits and challenges of cooperation, the factors that promote cooperation, and the role of cooperation in economic development.


 * 2007 - The Political Economy of Hazards and Disasters

This conference examined the political, economic, and social dimensions of hazards and disasters. Topics included the causes of hazards and disasters, the impact of hazards and disasters on individuals and communities, and the role of government and the private sector in disaster risk reduction.


 * 2006 – Economics and Morality

This conference explored the relationship between economics and morality. Topics included the role of morality in economic decision-making, the ethical implications of economic inequality, and the relationship between economics and religion.


 * 2005 - Economies and the Transformation of Landscape

This conference examined the ways in which economies shape and are shaped by landscapes. Topics included the impact of agriculture, industry, and urbanization on the environment, as well as the role of landscape in identity, culture, and power relations.


 * 2004 - Fast Food - Slow Food: Social and Economic Contexts of Food and Food Systems

This conference explored the social and economic dimensions of food and food systems. Topics included the impact of globalization on food production and consumption, the role of food in culture and identity, and the challenges of sustainable food production.


 * 2003 - Migration and Economy

This conference examined the economic and social dimensions of migration. Topics included the causes and consequences of migration, the role of migrants in the global economy, and the challenges of integrating migrants into host societies.


 * 2002 - Valuables, Goods, Wealth and Money

This conference examined the different ways in which valuables, goods, wealth, and money are conceptualized and used in human societies. Topics included the role of valuables in social relations, the economic significance of goods, and the symbolic meaning of wealth and money.


 * 2001 - Labor

This conference examined the different forms of labor that exist in human societies, from the informal labor of street vendors to the formal labor of factory workers. Topics included the causes and consequences of labor migration, the role of labor unions in the economy, and the challenges of ensuring fair wages and working conditions for all workers.


 * 2000 - Gender in Economic Life

This conference examined the different ways in which gender shapes economic life. Topics included the role of women in the global economy, the gender division of labor, and the challenges of achieving gender equality in the workplace.


 * 1999 - Development Beyond the 20th Century: A Critical Discussion in Economic Anthropology

This conference examined the different approaches to development that have been taken in the 20th century, and the challenges of achieving sustainable development in the 21st century. Topics included the role of the state in development, the impact of globalization on development, and the challenges of meeting the needs of the poor.


 * 1998 - Theory in Economic Anthropology

This conference examined the different theoretical approaches that have been used in economic anthropology. Topics included the role of culture in economic life, the relationship between economics and politics, and the challenges of studying the economy in a globalized world.

Titles of recent volumes

 * Vol. 25: Economies and the Transformation of Landscape. Lisa Cliggett and Chris Poole, eds. In Progress.
 * Vol. 24: Fast-Food, Slow-Food. Rick Wilk, ed. 2007
 * Vol. 23: Labor in Cross-Cultural Perspective. (Paul Durrenberger and Judith Marti, eds.) Alta Mira 2006.
 * Vol. 22: Migration and Economy: Global and Local Dynamics. Lillian Trager, ed. Alta Mira 2005.