Sociology of Giving

This book decodes the ambivalence of gift-giving. It examines its socio-ethical and integrative potential. Following a short recollection of contemporary gift-giving, its motives, occasions and its rules, the reader is invited to travel back in time and space examining 'sacrifice', 'food-sharing', and 'gift giving' as those basic institutions upon which symbolic orders of 'traditional' society rely. The historical invention of hospitality is considered and paves the way to an analysis of the anthropology of giving.

Berking goes on to explore the transition from traditional society to the market, self interest form. He questions the view that our societies are dominated by individualism and explores the contemporary interplay between self interest and the common good.

List of contents

PART ONE: THE PHENOMENOLOGY OF GIFT-GIVING
Motives
Occasions
Emotional Norms
PART TWO: TOWARDS AN ANTHROPOLOGY OF GIVING
The Gift
The Sacrifice
Distribution of the Sacrifice
Attributions
PART THREE: TRANSITIONS
Ideal Constructions
Beyond Necessity
PART FOUR: MORALITY AND SOCIETY
Individualization and the Common Welfare
The Solidarity of Individualism

About the author

Helmuth Berking is Assistant Professor in Sociology at the Free University, Berlin.

Summary

An anthropological study of the gift, that relates giving to the institutions and social structures of modern life

Product details

• Authors: Helmuth Berking, Berking Helmuth
• Assisted by: Patrick Camiller (Translation), Patrick Camillier (Translation)
• Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 30.03.1999
• EAN: 9780761956488
• ISBN: 978-0-7619-5648-8
• No. of pages: 176
• Series: Published in Association with Theory, Culture & Society; Theory, Culture & Society (Har; Published in association with Theory, Culture & Society; Published in Association with
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Sociology > Sociological theories; Sociology, History of Ideas, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology / General, Anthropology, Sociology: customs & traditions, HISTORY / Social History, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / General, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Customs & Traditions, Cultural studies: customs and traditions, Social & Cultural Anthropology;Social Theory