Economic Anthropology of Bangkok Go-Go Bars: Risk and Opportunity in a Bazaar-type Market for Interpersonally Embedded Services

Abstract

Economic anthropology of bazaar-type markets for material goods has developed a model of markets under uncertain conditions through microscopic analyses of seller–buyer relationships. The model implies that serious lack of information makes the individuals highly risk-averse and leads to long-term, balanced clientelization. Presented in this chapter is another model of uncertain market conditions. In a bazaar-type market of interpersonal service the individuals are likely to be both chance-seekers as well as risk-averters. Such an attitude derives from a combination of unique service characteristics and uncertain market conditions. Transactions of commodified sexual services (termed here “interpersonally embedded services”) among chance-seekers in bangkok go-go bars often result in disequilibration, rather than equilibration, of the seller–buyer relationship.

Citation

Ichinosawa, J. (2006), "Economic Anthropology of Bangkok Go-Go Bars: Risk and Opportunity in a Bazaar-type Market for Interpersonally Embedded Services", Wood, D.C. (Ed.) Choice in Economic Contexts (Research in Economic Anthropology, Vol. 25), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 125-150. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0190-1281(06)25006-6