Anthropology ought to have changed the world. What went wrong? Engaging
Anthropology takes an unflinching look at why the discipline has not gained the
popularity and respect it deserves in the twenty-first century. From identity
to multicultural society, new technologies to work, globalization to
marginalization, anthropology has a vital contribution to make.; While showcasing the intellectual power of discipline, Eriksen takes the
anthropological community to task for its unwillingness to engage more
proactively with the media in a wide range of current debates, from immigrant
issues to biotechnology. If anthropology matters as a key tool with which to
understand modern society beyond the ivory towers of academia, why are so few
anthropologists willing to come forward in times of national or global crisis?
Eriksen argues that anthropology needs to rediscover the art of narrative and
abandon arid analysis and, more provocatively, anthropologists need to lose
their fear of plunging into the vexed issues modern societies present.; Engaging Anthropology makes an impassioned plea for positioning
anthropology as the universal intellectual discipline. Eriksen has provided the
wake-up call we all should be awaiting.
