Laura Nader

Analyzing the workings of boundary maintenance in the areas of anthropology, energy, gender, and law, Nader contrasts dominant trends in academia with work that pushes the boundaries of acceptable methods and theories. Although the selections illustrate the history of one anthropologist's work over half a century, the wider intent is to label a field as contrarian to reveal unwritten rules that sometimes hinder transformative thinking and to stimulate boundary-crossing in others.

"In Culture and Dignity - Dialogues between the Middle East and the West, renowned cultural anthropologist Laura Nader examines the historical and ethnographic roots of the complex relationship between the East and the West, revealing how cultural differences can lead to violence or a more peaceful co-existence. Outlines an anthropology for the 21st century that focuses on the myriad connections between peoples--especially the critical intercultural dialogues between the cultures of the East and the West Takes an historical and ethnographic approach to studying the intermingling of Arab peoples and the West. Demonstrates how cultural exchange between the East and West is a two-way process Presents an anthropological perspective on issues such as religious fundamentalism, the lives of women and children, notions of violence and order "-- "Takes an historical and ethnographic approach to studying the intermingling of Arab peoples and the West"--

"Laura Nader, a distinguished and dynamic figure in the development of legal anthropology, examines the role of the law in the struggles for social and economic justice. In this book she gives a historical overview of the anthropology of law and explains the need for anthropologists, lawyers, and activists to recognize the centrality of law in processes of massive social change. Nader traces the evolution of the plaintiff's role in the United States in the second half of the twentieth century and convincingly argues that the atrophy of the plaintiff's power during this period undermines democracy.". "Taking into account the vast changes wrought by globalization in both anthropology and law, Nader explores the increasing dominance of multinational corporations and the prominence of "free-market" ideology and practice today. In this context, she considers the rise of the Alternative Dispute Resolution movement which, since the 1960s, has been part of a major overhaul of the U.S. judicial system. Nader links increasing entrenchment of this movement to the erosion of the plaintiff's power and suggests that mandatory mediation and arbitration without appeal are structured to favor powerful - often corporate - interests. She advocates expanding the role of the plaintiff in tort law to counter corporate hegemony and, in the process, use the law to advance social justice."--BOOK JACKET.

Examines the energy problem from an anthropological perspective and looks at energy holistically, including social and cultural components and long term implications for global and social environmental change. From publisher description.