What does "Cultural Materialism" emphasize in understanding culture?

Cultural Materialism fundamentally emphasizes the significance of material conditions in shaping and influencing cultural practices. This theoretical framework, primarily developed by anthropologist Marvin Harris, suggests that the environment, economic systems, technology, and resources available to a society are critical factors that help determine cultural norms, social structures, and behaviors. By examining how material factors interact with cultural elements, Cultural Materialism provides a lens through which to understand the practical and functional aspects of culture, including how societies adapt to their environments and the rituals or customs that emerge as a response to material needs.

For instance, aspects such as agricultural practices, housing, and subsistence strategies can profoundly impact social organization, belief systems, and community practices. This approach is particularly useful in explaining variations in cultural practices across different societies, as it links cultural phenomena to their material realities, offering a more grounded understanding of the way culture operates within the context of survival and resource management.