The Social Production of Indifference

Exploring the Symbolic Roots of Western Bureaucracy

Bibliographic Data

ID19919795
AuthorsM Herzfeld (0000-0002-8080-2542, corresponding author)
Year2021
Publication date2021-01-07
Open AccessNo
TypeBOOK
Reviewed byThe Social Production of Indifference: Exploring the Symbolic Roots of Western Bureaucracy, Sally Engle Merry, 1995
VenueSocial Production of Indifference (SOURCE_BOOK)
PublisherRoutledge (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.4324/9781003135029
OpenAlexW4206773804
Open LibraryOL36261481M
ISBN9781003135029
LanguageEN
Citations received273

In this fascinating book, Michael Herzfeld argues that 'modern' bureaucratically regulated societies are no more 'rational' or less 'symbolic' than the societies traditionally studied by anthropologists. Drawing primarily on the example of modern Greece and utilizing other European materials, he suggests that we cannot understand national bureaucracies divorced from local-level ideas about chance, personal character, social relationships and responsibility. He points out that both formal regulations and day-to-day bureaucratic practices rely heavily on the symbols and language of the moral boundaries between insiders and outsiders; a ready means of expressing prejudice and of justifying neglect. It therefore happens that societies with proud traditions of generous hospitality may paradoxically produce at the official level some of the most calculated indifference one can find anywhere

Economics · Microeconomics · Production (economics) · Social production · Social science · Sociology · Religion and Society Interactions · Social Policy and Reform Studies · Abuse of administrative power · Anthropology · Bureaucracy · Bureaucratie · Contrôle social · Developing countries · Élite (Sciences sociales) · Elite (Social sciences) · Excès de pouvoir (Droit administratif) · Social conflict · Social control

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