Question 1

The British notion "white man's burden" is similar to the French concept mission civilisatrice in that both were racist ideologies used to justify the colonial efforts of their respective countries.

Accepted Answer

Both the notions of "white man's burden" and "mission civilisatrice" were rooted in 19th century colonialism and posited the superiority of white Europeans who had a civilizing duty to bring their culture and values to other parts of the world. Both notions also disregarded the agency and cultural richness of the colonized peoples.

Question 2

How did the views of Marx and Weber on stratification differ? Relate their views to the modern global stratification system.

Accepted Answer

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Question 3

What is the world system perspective, and why is it important in anthropology?

Accepted Answer

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Question 4

Many of the political, linguistic, religious, and economic distinctions among the countries of West Africa today are artifacts of colonialism.

Accepted Answer

Colonialism played a significant role in shaping the political, linguistic, religious, and economic differences among countries in West Africa. During the colonial period, European powers established borders, imposed languages, and introduced new economic systems that divided ethnic and linguistic groups and created new political structures. These legacies continue to affect the region today.

Question 5

Belgian colonial administrators were careful to use culturally significant differences to distinguish between the Hutus and Tutsis.

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Question 6

What is the world capitalist economy? When did it originate, and what are its features? What are core, semiperiphery, and periphery? What is their relationship to world capitalism?

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Question 7

Ethnocide refers to the intentional destruction of an ethnic group's traditional customs, beliefs, and behaviors.

Accepted Answer

Ethnocide refers to the intentional destruction of an ethnic group's cultural heritage, which includes their traditional customs, beliefs, and behaviors.

Question 8

The United States originally started out as a peripheral nation, but by 1900 it had asserted itself as a member of the industrialized core.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The United States underwent rapid industrialization during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, leading to its emergence as a major economic and military power on the world stage.

Question 9

French colonial strategies incorporated both direct and indirect rule.

Accepted Answer

French colonial strategies utilized both direct rule, where French administrators were sent to govern the colonies, and indirect rule, where local leaders were given some degree of autonomy as long as they followed French policies.

Question 10

Mass production has led to critical consumption as people are forced to make careful decisions regarding what is needed and what is excess.

Accepted Answer

Mass production has led to excess production of goods and increased consumerism, where people tend to buy more than what is actually needed. This has resulted in wasteful consumption habits and environmental degradation.

Question 11

Weber argued that the only true capitalists were Protestants, and people who believed in any other faith could never fully mature as capitalists.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Although Weber did argue that Protestantism played a role in the development of capitalism, he did not claim that only Protestants could be true capitalists. He acknowledged that individuals from various religions and backgrounds could adopt capitalist values and practices.

Question 12

The distinction between small-c communism and large-C Communism is an example of arbitrary concepts defined in the social sciences.

Accepted Answer

The distinction between small-c communism (referring to a broad spectrum of social, political, and economic ideologies advocating for a classless system) and large-C Communism (referring to specific political movements and ideologies associated with Marxist-Leninist parties and states) is not arbitrary but is based on specific historical, ideological, and organizational differences.

Question 13

Higher wages and improved benefits for workers in core nations are possible only because an added surplus from the periphery enables companies to maintain high profit margins.

Accepted Answer

This is because companies in core nations often outsource labor-intensive and low-paying jobs to countries in the periphery where labor is cheap, and then sell the finished products for high prices in core nations. This allows them to make a profit and offer better wages and benefits to workers in core nations.

Question 14

Weber argued that without Catholic ethic and values, capitalism and industrialism would have never spread beyond England.

Accepted Answer

Weber argued that the Protestant ethic, particularly Calvinism, played a significant role in the development and spread of capitalism, not Catholicism.

Question 15

When indigenous peoples are incorporated into modern nation-states, they usually become part of the impoverished classes.

Accepted Answer

Incorporation into modern nation-states often leads to displacement from ancestral lands, loss of traditional livelihoods, and discrimination, leading to Indigenous peoples being pushed into poverty and marginalization.

Question 16

Neoliberalism refers to a revival of Adam Smith's classic economic liberalism, which suggests that governments should not regulate private enterprise and that free market forces should rule.

Accepted Answer

Neoliberalism is indeed a revival of Adam Smith's classic economic liberalism, which emphasizes the importance of free market forces and limits on government regulation.

Question 17

With the spread of industrialization, the existence of indigenous economies, ecologies, and populations has become threatened all over the world.

Accepted Answer

The spread of industrialization has indeed threatened the existence of indigenous economies, ecologies, and populations all over the world. The expansion of industries and the accompanying pollution, deforestation, and mineral extraction have had severe impacts on the lands and livelihoods of indigenous communities around the globe. Many of these communities have been displaced, dispossessed, and marginalized by the forces of industrialization, and their traditional ways of life, cultures, and languages have been endangered. While some efforts have been made to address these challenges through indigenous-led movements, environmental activism, and legal actions, the struggle for sustainability, justice, and recognition continues.

Question 18

Life in nations in the periphery is characterized by high percentages of poverty and frequent food shortages brought on by a high level of stratification between a small number of large landowners and landless workers.

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately describes the situation in many nations in the periphery, where there is often a large gap between the wealthy elites who control land and resources and the poorer, landless majority who struggle to make ends meet. This can lead to high levels of poverty and food insecurity, as well as other social and economic challenges.

Question 19

Colonialism refers to the solicitation by peripheral countries of political and financial assistance from core nations.

Accepted Answer

Colonialism refers to the political and economic domination of peripheral countries by core nations, often resulting in exploitation and oppression. It involves the establishment and maintenance of colonies in foreign territories for economic gain and control of resources. It is not a form of solicitation by peripheral countries for assistance from core nations.

Question 20

What was the Industrial Revolution, and how did it differ from previous life in villages, towns, and cities? Why is this topic relevant to an anthropologist?

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Quiz 14: The World System and Colonialism