THE SOCIAL ORGANIZATION OF INTENTION: SACRED GIVING AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR BURMA’S POLITICAL ECONOMY

Ingrid Jordt

A chapter in Anthropological Perspectives on Economic Development and Integration, 2003, pp 325-344 from Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Abstract: In Burma, sacred giving (dana) is a principal obligation for all Buddhist practitioners. This paper evaluates the practical and cultural underpinnings of donation practices. Dana redistributes resources, it operates as a system for the production of status distinctions and patron-client ties, and as a means to fulfilling proximate soteriological goals and sacred relations. Elaborating on distinctions Godelier draws between “ideology” and “mentalite,” I argue that sacred giving – especially as it is articulated in native theories about intention – participate in a “politics of sincerity” that impact the political legitimacy projects of the military junta.

Date: 2003
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eme:reanzz:s0190-1281(03)22012-6

DOI: 10.1016/S0190-1281(03)22012-6

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