On Centrism and Dualism

Focusing on the concept of house societies, this book delves into the anthropological debate surrounding social formations in Southeast Asia, particularly through Shelly Errington's comparative model. By synthesizing Lévi-Strauss' Structural Anthropology and Clifford Geertz' interpretative paradigm, it provides a thorough analysis of Errington's complex theoretical framework. The text traces the model's genealogy, examines its foundational premises, and evaluates its applicability to Southeast Asian societies, highlighting both its strengths and limitations in anthropological discourse.