Reciprocity Defined
May 2005
RECIPROCITY:
ITS SCOPE, RATIONALES, AND CONSEQUENCES
Serge-Christophe KOLM
“Of all the persons, however, whom nature points out for our peculiar beneficence, there are none to whom it seems more properly directed than to those whose beneficence we have ourselves already experienced. Nature, which formed men for that mutual kindness, so necessary for their happiness, renders every man the peculiar object of kindness, to the persons to whom he himself has been kind.” Adam Smith. The Theory of Moral Sentiments (VI, 2, 1).
“Give and you will be given to.” Luke.
Content
I. Facts and forms
1. Introduction
2. The evidence, scope, and pervasiveness of the reciprocity relationship
3. Reciprocity as the quintessential social bond
4. Definitions, givings and exchanges
5. Reciprocities: forms and structures
1 II. Motives
6. Motives: the three worlds of reciprocity
7. Reciprocity and other social sentiments
8. Reciprocity in the modes of economic realization
2 III. Values and reasons
9. The values of reciprocity
10. Normative uses of reciprocity
11. How and why? Understanding and explaining reciprocity
IV. Formal analysis and interaction
12. Formal analysis of reciprocity
13. Reciprocal interaction, process preferences, and consequences
V. 14. Reciprocity in economics
References and bibliography
I. FACTS AND FORMS
1. Introduction[1]
1.1 Evidence, scope, and motives of reciprocity
In his Essay on the Gift (1924) – one of the most influential founding works of the social science – Marcel Mauss calls reciprocity “one of the human rocks on which societies are built.” Reciprocity is treating others as they treat you, because of this very fact and not as the result of some agreed upon or expected exchange (this will be explained in detail). This basic, polymorphic, and pervasive pattern of human social conduct is one
RECIPROCITY:
ITS SCOPE, RATIONALES, AND CONSEQUENCES
Serge-Christophe KOLM
“Of all the persons, however, whom nature points out for our peculiar beneficence, there are none to whom it seems more properly directed than to those whose beneficence we have ourselves already experienced. Nature, which formed men for that mutual kindness, so necessary for their happiness, renders every man the peculiar object of kindness, to the persons to whom he himself has been kind.” Adam Smith. The Theory of Moral Sentiments (VI, 2, 1).
“Give and you will be given to.” Luke.
Content
I. Facts and forms
1. Introduction
2. The evidence, scope, and pervasiveness of the reciprocity relationship
3. Reciprocity as the quintessential social bond
4. Definitions, givings and exchanges
5. Reciprocities: forms and structures
1 II. Motives
6. Motives: the three worlds of reciprocity
7. Reciprocity and other social sentiments
8. Reciprocity in the modes of economic realization
2 III. Values and reasons
9. The values of reciprocity
10. Normative uses of reciprocity
11. How and why? Understanding and explaining reciprocity
IV. Formal analysis and interaction
12. Formal analysis of reciprocity
13. Reciprocal interaction, process preferences, and consequences
V. 14. Reciprocity in economics
References and bibliography
I. FACTS AND FORMS
1. Introduction[1]
1.1 Evidence, scope, and motives of reciprocity
In his Essay on the Gift (1924) – one of the most influential founding works of the social science – Marcel Mauss calls reciprocity “one of the human rocks on which societies are built.” Reciprocity is treating others as they treat you, because of this very fact and not as the result of some agreed upon or expected exchange (this will be explained in detail). This basic, polymorphic, and pervasive pattern of human social conduct is one