Brian Meeks

Caribbean Reasonings: M.g. Smith - Social Theory and Anthropology in the Caribbean and Beyond Brian Meeks

M. G. Smith: Social Theory and Anthropology in the Caribbean and Beyond invites readers to explore the life and work of Michael Garfield Smith, one of the most prolific Caribbean thinkers of the post-war era. M. G., as he was known, is credited with having made significant contributions in the fields of anthropology, social theory, sociology and politics. This collection of essays, presented at the 2008 Caribbean Reasonings conference held in honour of M. G. Smith, is divided into three parts. In part one, Critical Contestations, both sides of the creole society debate are argued while the argument is also made for and against Smith s plural society theory. In part two, Anthropological Excursions, Smith s fieldwork observations and conclusions in both Africa and the Caribbean are also thoroughly examined, while part three, Beyond M. G. Smith, demonstrates the impact that M. G. Smith has had on scholarship coming out of the Caribbean, as his work is used as a point of departure in rethinking aspects of Caribbean social theory. Includes contributions from: Philip Burnham, Jean Besson, Mervyn Alleyne, Don Robotham, Colin Clarke, Mohammed Bashir Salau, Murray Last, Christine Barrow, Wyatt MacGaffey, Rivke Jaffe, Jack Menke, Peter Meel, Anton Allahar, Huon Wardle This exciting work ends with A Brief Personal Memoir, a postscript by Mary Smith, his widow, which gives an insight into the personal life of M. G. Smith and the important moments that shaped his life.