The the form and reason for exchange in archaic societies Mauss, Marcel 1872-1950 creator Douglas, Mary 1921-2007 Halls, W. D. trl text bibliography enk London Routledge 2002 monographic eng fre

print

xxiii, 199 p. ; 20 cm Mauss's most influential work is his Essay sur le don (1923�24; English translation: The Gift. Forms and functions of exchange in archaic societies, 1954), a comparative essay on gift-giving and exchange in "primitive" societies. On the basis of empirical examples from a wide range of societies, Mauss describes the obligations attendent on gift-giving: the obligation to give gifts (by giving, one shows oneself as generous, and thus as deserving of respect), the obligation to receive them (by receiving the gift, one shows respect to the giver, and concommittantly proves one's own generocity), and the obligation to return the gift (thus demonstrating that one's honor is - at least - equivalent to that of the original giver). Gift-giving is thus steeped in morality, and by giving, receiving and returning gifts, a moral bond between the persons exchanging gifts. At the same time, Mauss emphasizes the competitive and strategic aspect of gift-giving: by giving more than one's competitors, one lays claim to greater respect than them, and gift-giving contests (such as the famous North-West Coast Native American potlatch), are thus common in the ethnographic record. In this work, Mauss thus lays the foundation for a theoretical understanding of the nature of social relations. Introduction; The exchange of gifts and the obligation to reciprocate (Polynesia); The extension of this system: Liberality; Honour, Money; Survivals of these principles in ancient systems of law and ancient economies; Conclusion Marcel Mauss ; with a foreword by Mary Douglas "This translation originally published 1990 ..."--T.p. verso Translated from the French Includes bibliographical references and indexes Ceremonial exchange Gifts 394 041526748X (hbk.) 0415267498 (pbk.) 9780415267489 (hbk.) 9780415267496 (pbk.) 021106 20181127183115.0 7189