Gift-Giving, Quasi-Credit and Reciprocity  

Oleh:

Thomas, Jonathan P. ; Worrall, Timothy

Jenis: Article from Journal - ilmiah internasional
Dalam koleksi: Rationality and Society vol. 14 no. 3 (Agu. 2002), page 308-352.
Topik: gift-giving; implicit contract; quasi-credit; reciprocity
Fulltext: 308RS143.pdf (720.12KB)

Isi artikel

The fluctuations in incomes inherent in rural communities can be attenuated by reciprocal assistance. A model of reciprocal assistance based upon rational action and voluntary participation is presented. Individuals provide assistance only if the costs of so doing are outweighed by the bene®ts from expected future reciprocation. A distinction is made between general reciprocity, where the counter obligation is expected but not certain, and balanced reciprocity, where there is a ®rm counter obligation. This ®rm counter obligation is re¯ected by including a loan or quasi-credit element in any assistance. It is shown how this can increase the assistance given and it may explain the widespread use of quasi-credit in rural communities. Moreover, it is shown that for a range of parameter values consistent with evidence from three villages in southern India, a simple scheme of gift-giving and quasi-credit can do almost as well as theoretically better but more complicated schemes.

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