Social solidarity and the gift

Bibliographic Information

Social solidarity and the gift

Aafke E. Komter

Cambridge University Press, 2005

  • : hard
  • : pbk.

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Note

Includes bibliographical references and index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

This book brings together two traditions of thinking about social ties: sociological theory on solidarity and anthropological theory on gift exchange. The purpose of the book is to explore both how theoretical traditions may complete and enrich each other, and how they may illuminate transformations in solidarity. The main argument, supported by empirical illustrations, is that a theory of solidarity should incorporate some of the core insights from anthropological gift theory. The book presents a theoretical model covering both positive and negative - selective and excluding - aspects and consequences of solidarity. It is concluded that over the past century solidarity has undergone a fundamental transformation, from Durkheim's 'organic' solidarity to a type of solidarity which can be called 'segmented': separate, autonomous social segments connecting with other segments, no longer out of necessity and mutual dependency but on the basis of individual choice. Solidarity has, thereby, become more noncomittal.

Table of Contents

  • Part I. The gift: meanings and motives: 1. The social meanings of things
  • 2. Patterns of giving and receiving
  • 3. The anatomy of gratitude
  • 4. Women, gifts and power
  • 5. Social theory and social ties
  • 6. Solidarity, gifts and exclusion
  • 7. Family solidarity
  • Part II. Contemporary solidarity: 8. Changing solidarity
  • 9. Social solidarity and the gift
  • References
  • Index.

by "Nielsen BookData"

Details

  • NCID
    BA70456726
  • ISBN
    • 0521841003
    • 0521600847
  • LCCN
    2004045809
  • Country Code
    uk
  • Title Language Code
    eng
  • Text Language Code
    eng
  • Place of Publication
    Cambridge
  • Pages/Volumes
    xi, 234 p.
  • Size
    23 cm
  • Classification
  • Subject Headings
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