Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book demonstrates that anthropology and its sister social sciences have a good deal to contribute to the understanding of more fully commoditized as well as communal and domestic economies. It focuses on geography, moving from the westernmost extension of the region, Morocco, across North Africa to Egypt, moving southward to the Sudan, then northeast to Israel, Syria, and Yemen, and concluding with contributions from Turkey and the Sultanate of Oman. The book explores problems of integrating indigenous social scientists in national development activities. It argues that anthropologists are in a unique position to influence applied studies because of their longstanding concern with identifying and, at times, mediating discrepancies that exist in all facets of development. The book shows that sustainable development must be based on effective local management as well as on appropriate material interventions.