Distribution and Sharing of Resources in Symbolic and Ecological Systems : Integrative Model-building inAnthropology

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This project aimed at developing a new integrative perspective of anthropological research through focusing upon feedback processes between formations of 'symbolic resources', on the one hand, and of 'ecological resources', on the other. Theoretical attempts were directed to establish the thesis that modes of their allocation, distribution and common sharing, revealed the most fundamental aspect of social mechanisms. This theoretical perspective enabled us to analyse current dynamic social processes at various global-local levels ranging from micro-scale societies to supranational regions. Special focus was put on peripheral societies in Asia, Africa and Oceania. The resources dealt with included cultural resources, knowledge resources, human-body resources, and ecological spaces, to mention a few. The research activities were carried out through numerous workshops and symposiums, the results of which were published in the form of a series of volumes of collected articles, newsletters, and independent papers written by participant researchers. Nine volumes of "Anthropology of Resources" (in Japanese), collection of papers contributed by most participant researchers, are to be published in 2007.