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“Inequality of What?” Multiple Paths to the Good Life

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Realizing Value in Mesoamerica

Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in Ancient Economies ((PASTAE))

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Abstract

Inequality is value’s shadow. For every standard of value, some people have more, others have less. Though inequality takes many forms, several researchers, particularly those taking a capabilities approach, have noted that disparities in wealth or income are often not the best indicators of inequality. A view of ancient societies as fractured and heterogeneous anticipates that people possess a variety of goals, tastes, and desires, and therefore a variety of discordant and disorderly inequalities. This paper uses case studies from Cerén, Uci, and Chunchucmil to suggest that what might look like inequality from certain metrics should instead be understood as different paths to the good life.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anthropology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA

    Scott R. Hutson

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  1. Scott R. Hutson
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Correspondence to Scott R. Hutson .

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  1. Department of Anthropology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA

    Scott R. Hutson

  2. Department of Anthropology, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA

    Charles Golden

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Hutson, S.R. (2023). “Inequality of What?” Multiple Paths to the Good Life. In: Hutson, S.R., Golden, C. (eds) Realizing Value in Mesoamerica. Palgrave Studies in Ancient Economies. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-44168-4_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-44168-4_16

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