Week 10 - Gifts And Exchange

Question 0

What is balance reciprocity?

Answer 0

An exchange of goods of nearly equal value, with a clear obligation to return them within a specified time limit.
EG:

Question 1

What is generalised reciprocity?

Answer 1

A distribution of goods with no immediate or specific return of goods.
EG:

Question 2

What is negative reciprocity?

Answer 2

Exchange conducted for the purpose of material advantage and the desire to get something for nothing.
EG:

Question 3

What was Marcel Mauss’ claim about gift reciprocity?

Answer 3

“One important set of phenomena: namely, prestations, which are in theory voluntary, disinterested and spontaneous, are in fact obligatory and interested. The form usually taken is that of the gift generously offered; but the accompanying behaviour is formal pretence and social deception, while the transaction itself is based on obligation and self-interest.”

Question 4

What are the three obligations of gift-giving?

Answer 4

Give, Receive, Repay

Question 5

How did Chris Gregory define gifts and commodities?

Answer 5

Commodities: “the exchange of alienable objects between transactors who are in a state of reciprocal independence”
Gifts: “an exchange of inalienable object between people in a state of reciprocal dependence”