Reciprocity: An Economics of Social Relations (Federico Caffè Lectures)
Reciprocity: An Economics of Social Relations (Federico Caffè Lectures)
Cambridge University Press | Pages: 408 | 2008 | ISBN: 0521882656 | 2 MB | PDF
Reciprocity is a crucial part of our social and economic lives. In its various forms it permits the existence of a peaceful society in which people and individual rights are respected. Yet although the importance of reciprocity has been widely recognised in other social sciences it has, until recently, been somewhat ignored in economic modelling. Over the past three decades, economic theorist and moral philosopher, Serge-Christophe Kolm has been at the forefront of research into the economics of social relationships. In Reciprocity he provides a unique in-depth analysis of the motives, conducts and relationships of reciprocity. In doing so he shows that reciprocity and altruistic behaviour play an important role, not just in the micro-economy of the family but also in the macro-economy of the state. This book should be read by economists, sociologists and philosophers concerned with understanding the economic basis of social relationships.