What is the primary focus of economic anthropology?

The primary focus of economic anthropology is on the cultural and social embedding of economic activities. This field examines how economic practices are influenced by and intertwined with social norms, values, traditions, and cultural contexts. Economic anthropologists study systems of exchange, modes of production, and consumption patterns, highlighting how cultural beliefs and social relations shape economic behavior and how economic activities, in turn, affect social structures.

By analyzing economic systems within their cultural contexts, economic anthropology provides a deeper understanding of how people organize their economic lives and how their identities and social relations are formed and transformed through these activities. This approach distinguishes it from other disciplines that might focus solely on economic metrics or institutions without considering the cultural nuances that influence human behavior.