Elite Cultures (ASA Monographs) - Ethnographic Study of Power

In this review of Elite Cultures (ASA Monographs), the bottom line is clear: this edited volume is for readers who want a rigorous, comparative ethnographic look at how elites live, think and sustain power. Drawing on case studies from Mexico, Peru, Amazonia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Europe, North America and Africa, the collection gives researchers and advanced students a textured view of elite identities and the cultural practices that reproduce status. The review finds the book strongest as a comparative resource that links intimate practice to broader social processes, rather than as a quick primer for general readers.

Key Features

• Comparative ethnography: The book gathers fieldwork from diverse regions to reveal patterns and contrasts in how elites construct and maintain identity.
• Focus on intimate spaces: Contributors examine everyday practices and private settings, showing how personal domains sustain public power.
• Cross-regional perspective: Case studies span Latin America, Asia, Europe, North America and Africa to highlight global and local mechanisms.
• Cultural analysis of status: Chapters unpack rituals, meanings and practices that reproduce elite privilege over time.
• Edited volume format: The anthology form brings multiple theoretical angles and ethnographic voices to a single topic for comparative reading.

Who It's For

This volume is well suited to anthropologists, sociologists and graduate students who need detailed, ethnographic accounts of elites and a comparative framework that ties micro practice to macro social processes. It will also benefit researchers examining inequality, governance and cultural reproduction who want case-based evidence across regions.

General readers or those seeking a short introductory account of elites may find the style and depth demanding; this is not a textbook for undergraduates needing simplified summaries or quick overviews.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Wide geographic coverage offers strong comparative leverage for scholars interested in cross-cultural patterns.
• Close attention to intimate domains provides fresh insights into how private practices sustain public authority.
• The edited format assembles varied theoretical perspectives that stimulate critical dialogue across chapters.

Cons

• The book's depth and specialist writing make it less accessible for casual or introductory audiences.
• As with many edited collections, chapter quality and focus can vary, which may disrupt narrative cohesion for some readers.

Specifications

Title	Elite Cultures (ASA Monographs)
Editors	Stephen Nugent, Cris Shore
Subject area	Anthropology; cultural studies of elites
Geographic scope	Mexico; Peru; Amazonia; Indonesia; Sri Lanka; Europe; North America; Africa
Approach	Comparative ethnographic case studies
Audience	Researchers, graduate students, specialists

Our Verdict

Elite Cultures is a substantial, comparative collection that rewards readers who need in-depth ethnographic evidence on power and status. Scholars and advanced students will value its focus on intimate practices and cross-regional contrasts; those seeking an accessible introduction should consider other, shorter overviews. Overall it offers strong value as a research resource linking cultural meaning to elite reproduction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book cover multiple regions?
Yes. Contributors present ethnographic cases from Latin America, Asia, Europe, North America and Africa.

Who edited the volume?
The book is edited by Stephen Nugent and Cris Shore.

Is this suitable for general readers?
It is aimed at researchers and advanced students; general readers may find the writing and detail demanding.