Final answer:
Anthropologists seek to understand the organization of economies in relation to social connections, using cultural examples such as the Bedouin and Ghanaian societies to illustrate this relationship. Unlike economists, who often focus on market forces, anthropologists apply a holistic approach, considering the wider social implications of economic activities.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the big research questions for anthropologists is to describe how economies are organized, particularly focusing on systems of distribution and exchange. These economic systems invariably reflect the social connections within a culture. For example, past societies that practiced pastoralism, such as the Bedouin, had an economy based on herd animal wealth, which allowed for wealth accumulation and structured social hierarchy.
Another cultural example is the farming societies of Ghana, where gender roles and economic power were shaped by the cultivation and trade of cocoa during the colonial period. Men took control of the cash crops and profits, thereby altering the gender dynamics and creating more significant inequality within social relations. This shift in economic activities is a clear demonstration of how economic processes are intertwined with social structures and roles.
Anthropologists look at economic systems holistically, considering how they shape and are shaped by other aspects of society, such as politics, environment, and culture. By contrast, economists may seek to identify universal principles that govern economic behavior, typically focusing on market forces rather than the broader social implications of economic activities.