Institutional analysis and the gift: an introduction to the symposium. Issue 5 (28th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kesting, Stefan; Negru, Ioana; Silvestri, Paolo
• Is Part Of: Journal of institutional economics. Volume 16:Issue 5(2020)
• Page Start: 665
• Page End: 674
• Publication Date: 2020-10-28
• Subjects: Anthropology, -- gift-giving, -- gifts, -- institutional economics, -- institutions; Institutional economics -- Periodicals; 330.1552
• DOI: 10.1017/S1744137420000223
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-1374

Abstract

Abstract: How can gift and gift-giving studies be relevant to the study of institutions and vice versa ? This is the question we broadly address in the introduction to this symposium while drawing on the contributing articles and sketching out a possible future research in a perspective of integration between these two fields of study. Is the gift an institution? What types of methodological approaches would be most suitable in view of such integration? We define the gift as transfers underpinned by institutions, including customs and norms. We contend that the institutional thought can employ empirical and qualitative research methods used by anthropology and that there are important and fruitful lines of tension between gift-giving and institutions – from the relationship between freedom and obligation to the role of third sector between state and market – worthy of further research in the future.