The Anthropology of Morality in Melanesia and Beyond

’Over the past century, anthropologists working in Melanesia have produced more than their fair share of major contributions to anthropological theory and social scientific debates. In this excellent collection, John Barker has gathered a first rate line up of scholars who further the trend. Returning to Kenelm Burridge's seminal work, the contributors raise issues that are sure to excite, enlighten and provoke not only Melanesianists, but all those interested in conceptions of morality.’ Matthew Engelke, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK ’A touchstone concept in the anthropology of morality, obligation permeates people’s lives around the world. Readers of this book will find unique insights into moral dilemmas of obligation in leadership, gender relations, Christian belief, utopianism, and in exchange relations in development schemes. It provides scholars with a rich account of the contributions of Melanesian ethnography to our understanding of morality as a matter of meeting obligations.’ Karen Sykes, University of Manchester, UK 'The Anthropology of Morality in Melanesia and Beyond is clearly underpinned by in-depth knowledge of the region, based on extensive fieldwork...the book is successful in both applying and extending key ideas from Burridge to the ever-changing postcolonial societies of Melanesia.' Island studies Journal 'The compilation of studies motivated by the work of Kenelm Burridge and edited by John Baker, succeeds in maintaining the focus of morality in Melanesia and a high quality of scholarship throughout...it is a book well worth having. Certainly, it is a volume well worth reading' Anthropos 'This ethnographic collection is a valuable contribution to the study of religion and morality in Oceania and will be useful for those in the developing field of comparative religious ethics.' Religious Studies Review ’John Barker’s edited volume is a fascinating and ethnographically rich collection of research from