Final Year Project

Project Title

Economic Anthropology

Description

In this paper I have discussed the principle of reciprocity by giving examples and evidence of potlach, Kula ring, gift-exchange and “inalienable possession”. Do people exchange gifts because it is valuable or because of social norms? Is there such a thing called a pure gift? What is the paradox in gift-giving? This paper focuses on the paradox of gift exchange through an economic, anthropological and sociological perspective. The concept of reciprocity and gift exchange has been explored in primitive societies, for instance, in Papua New Guinea, the Trobriand islanders were observed to have a close-knit bond and a complex system of gift exchange between its members. However, from a far this process may be judged as being quite simplistic, but in reality, it is thoroughly complicated in nature. It consists of rituals, customs and practices which require to be understood through a multidisciplinary perspective. Therefore, it is concluded that there is no such thing as a pure gift, individuals mostly carry out this process as to carry out their social norms and to fulfill their responsibilities. This is a rather give and take economic transaction, which helps maintain balance in society.