Reciprocity
An Economics of Social Relations

A unique analysis of the role that reciprocity plays in the economics of social relationships.

Serge-Christophe Kolm (Author)

9780521123204, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 12 November 2009

404 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 0.3 cm, 0.76 kg

Review of the hardback: 'Kolm's book is an ambitious assessment and deep analysis of reciprocity as a set of motivationally interrelated gifts. It adopts a transdisciplinary approach based on economics, psychology and moral philosophy to explain the economic and social effects of reciprocity - not only its logical structure but also its various manifestations. The author has to be credited for his unflinching insistence that economic science go beyond the limits imposed by a model of individual choice, which pretends that all types of social relations can be modelled as some variant of relations of exchange of equivalents. The closely knit narrative tells a fascinating story that fills an important gap in present-day economic literature.' Stefano Zamagni, University of Bologna

Reciprocity is the basis of social relations. It permits a peaceful and free society in which people and rights are respected. The essence of families and communities, it also enables the working of markets and organisations, while correcting their main failures. Reciprocity is also a basis of politics, and it justifies social policies. Although the importance of reciprocity has been widely recognised in other social sciences, it has, until recently, been somewhat ignored in economic analysis. Over the past three decades, economic theorist and moral philosopher Serge-Christophe Kolm has been at the forefront of research into the economics of the deepest aspects of societies. In Reciprocity, he provides a unique in-depth analysis of the motives, conducts, and effects of reciprocal relationships. In doing this, he explains crucial functionings of society and its economy, and the ways in which they can be improved. This book should be read by economists, sociologists, philosophers, and anyone concerned with understanding the economy of social relationships and its far-reaching consequences.

List of figures
Foreword
Part I. Facts and Forms: 1. Presentation
2. Evidence and scope
3. Giving and exchanges
4. Forms and structures of reciprocity
Part II. Motives: 5. The three worlds of reciprocity
6. Balance reciprocity
7. Liking reciprocities
8. Other reciprocities: continuation, relational, imitation, extended
9. Reciprocity and social sentiments
10. Reciprocity in the modes of economic realisation
Part III. Values and Reasons: 11. The values of reciprocity
12. Reciprocal corrections of market failures
13. Reciprocity in trust, and intrinsic values
14. Normative uses of reciprocity
15. The logic of good social relations
16. How and why? Understanding and explaining reciprocity
Part IV. The Economics of Reciprocity: 17. General methodology of reciprocity analysis
18. The theory of comparative, matching, or balance reciprocity
19. The theory of liking reciprocity
20. Strategic interaction and process preferences
21. General properties about processes
22. Solutions of reciprocity games - comparisons
23. Reciprocity in the understanding of society and its economy
References and bibliography.

Subject Areas: Economic theory & philosophy [KCA], Sociology [JHB], Social & political philosophy [HPS]