A hybrid economy can be described as a type of economy that occurs in the local, national, or state economic system and involves a bilateral focus on two financial styles. Over the history of humankind, the hybrid economic style has been used to elevate various regions’ economies. A university-industrial economic system would be one significant example of a hybrid economy. When adequately effected, the mixed economy draws merit from every participant’s strengths and minimizes the weaknesses of any approach used in the economy. Jon Altman has studied the Aboriginal tribes in Australia for many years. He, therefore, came up with a hybrid economy theory that would be used to help the lives of the Aborigine people. The theory has various proposals that can be implemented to benefit these marginalized groups of people and help pull them out of poverty.
According to Altman, the Aborigine people living in Northern Australia have been marginalized and discriminated against for a long time. He notes that the Aborigines have resorted to living in this remote and rural region despite the northern part being not so productive. They are people who have been denied the necessities in life, such as good education and inclusion (Altman and Kerins, 2012). Due to this fact, submitting these people to live within the expected standard markets would mean putting them into a life of poverty and misery. They would not compete with the education levels of other people, and their employability levels would be zero. Altman, therefore, comes up with a theory of utilizing the hybrid economy to meet these people at the ground level and push them up. The consideration of the people’s customs and kin-related society would help them immensely.
In his theory, Altman focuses on the customary livelihoods of the native people in the Northern region of Australia. He notices that these people still participate in hunting and gathering and art. Altman suggests that there should be an improvement in the relationship between the state, national and local markets. He noticed that the sale of hunted game meat was prevalent in the region, and the government could help boost this trade. The art forms made by the indigenous Aborigine people could also be bought at reasonable prices by the bodies tasked with the responsibility of restoring the cultural heritage of the Aboriginal people (Sanders, 2016). Altman asserts that for the government to boost the well-being of these people, it is worthwhile to invest in economic innovations and tap into their cultural and kin-based financial system. Accepting their entrepreneurial skills and freedom could be the first step toward improving these people’s free trade and free markets.
Altman’s theory of hybrid economy also emphasizes the utilization of economic anthropology in the 21st century. It is essential to accept that even though the world has developed and the global economy has changed, the local micro-economies still exist. As noted by Altman, the Aborigine people are remote from the mainstream economy and would have many possible challenges if they try to go mainstream (Altman, 2009). There is no regional demand for their labor, and their products would not compete even in the Local Australian market. Altman noted that the aboriginal people’s customary economy kept them going despite being locked out of the mainstream economy. Due to this fact, Altman suggests that the government should look into this and develop a working hybrid economy for the Aborigines and improve their livelihoods. In his theory, he suggests that this kin-based market economy can be boosted by the government and made to work with the local, state, and national economic systems.
Despite Altman’s hybrid economy theory seeking to help the lives of those in the marginalized regions of Northern Australia, several people are against his ideas. Kathrine Curchin is a scholar who openly criticized Altman’s theory of hybrid economy as a non-conforming idea. Curchin claims that the kin-based and customary economy would not allow for self or individual growth. She asserts that the market societies that exist are individual-based and structured towards self-gain. Profit and budget are the main drivers of the mainstream economy, and the need of the community are not met. The economy thrives on human capital, and individual wealth accumulation is fostered. On the contrary, the Aboriginal societies believe in the well-being of the community. Personal wealth accumulation is discouraged, and society is put ahead of the self (Curchin, 2016). Therefore, their inclusion into the mainstream economy would not bear any fruit. It would only yield rebellion and confusion from a people who still believe in the society and kin-based economy. The people are willing to sacrifice material gain for the sake of the well-being of the community.
Other than Curchin, other critiques have shared their disapproval of the hybrid economy theory. Altman is, however, not moved by the reviews and continues to push for the adoption of the hybrid economy. His claims are valid and seek to improve the lives of people who have been marginalized and forced to hide away from the rest of the world. Hunting and gathering have been one of their economic activities and should be supported. The cultural artworks done by the people should also be embraced and bought at considerable prices to enable these people to earn a living. The government should fully recognize the customary economy of the Aboriginal people and help by putting up necessary infrastructure in the Northern region. They should be supported to ensure that they can also help themselves and their people compete like other people in Australia.
Reference List
Altman, J., 2009. The Hybrid Economy and Anthropological Engagements with Policy Discourse: A Brief Reflection.The Australian Journal of Anthropology, 20(3), pp.318-329. Web.
Altman, J. and Kerins, S., 2012. People on Country: Vital Landscapes, Indigenous Futures. Sydney: The Federation Press.
Curchin, K., 2016. If the Market is the Problem, is the Hybrid Economy the Solution? In: W. Sanders, ed., Engaging Indigenous Economy: Debating Diverse Approaches. [Online] Canberra: Australian National University Press, p.328. Web.
Sanders, W., 2016. Engaging Indigenous Economy: Debating Diverse Approaches. Canberra: Australian National University Press, p.328.