A Hypothetical Power-Analysis of Foucauldian "Exchange" of People via Cultural Institutions
Institution | marriage | adoption | kidnapping | slavery | employment |
Privileged Position | groom | adopting family | kidnappers | slave-holders | employers |
Unprivileged Position | bride | adoptee | kidnapped | slaves | employees |
1) What "normative" conditions do these assignments of privileged and unprivileged status assume?
2) What cultural forces can subvert those conditions and reassign status?
3) Which of these exchange circuits compensate the unprivileged in one exchange by assigning them privilege in another?
Hint: if the subversion or compensation does not occur in this exchange system, might it occur in the exchange of material goods or of ideas?