description Keith Hart Overview
Keith Hart is a British economic anthropologist known for his extensive research on the social and economic structures of urban Africa. He first coined the term "informal economy" in a 1973 study examining the unregulated labor markets and grassroots economic activities of migrants in Accra, Ghana. This concept has since become a standard analytical category in development economics and urban sociology, highlighting how people survive outside formal state regulations. Hart's broader work explores the anthropology of money, digital economy, and the movement toward building a more equitable "human economy."
help Keith Hart FAQ
What famous economic term did Keith Hart coin?
Keith Hart is a British economic anthropologist credited with coining the term "informal economy" in the early 1970s. He introduced the concept while studying unregulated labor markets in urban Africa.
Which African city was the basis for Keith Hart's research on the informal economy?
Hart based his groundbreaking 1973 study on the economic activities of migrants in Accra, Ghana. He observed that many people survived through small-scale, unregistered businesses outside the formal wage-labor sector.
What is Keith Hart's approach to studying money?
Hart argues that money is not just a cold, mathematical tool of capitalism, but a deeply social and cultural phenomenon. He co-authored the book "The Human Economy" to promote an economic model focused on people rather than just markets.
Where has Keith Hart taught during his academic career?
He has held academic positions at several major institutions, including the University of Cambridge and Yale University. He is also known for co-founding the Human Economy research network.
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