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The economics of the gift

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Author Info
Ven, J. van de (Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research)

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Abstract

In the past, gift-giving has interested mainly anthropologists because it was taken to be a primitive mode of exchange. Recent contributions of economists acknowledge however that gift-giving is still present in modern exchange economies. In this paper gifts are characterized by motivations. Two main features of gift giving are to be explained: (in-)adequacy and (non-)reciprocity. It is argued that social approval is potentially a powerful explanation of gift-giving. We relate the results to the market economy and try to explain the anomaly that gift-giving is sometimes reduced after compensation is offered.

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Paper provided by Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research in its series Discussion Paper with number 68.

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Date of creation: 2000
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Handle: RePEc:dgr:kubcen:200068

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Related research
Keywords: gift giving;

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    Other versions:
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  5. Duncan, Brian, 1999. "Modeling charitable contributions of time and money," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 72(2), pages 213-242, May. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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  12. Gary E. Bolton & Axel Ockenfels, 2000. "ERC: A Theory of Equity, Reciprocity, and Competition," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 90(1), pages 166-193, March. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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  17. Nyberg, Sten, 1997. "The honest society: Stability and policy considerations," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 64(1), pages 83-99, April. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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