A non-market mode of economic integration where goods are moved between symetrical groups. Sometimes termed the "gift" mode of integration because goods are often given as gifts between people, villages, or tribes. There is quite often a protocol participants follow when giving their "gifts." Often there is an obligation to not only give an initial gift, but to receive a gift and then reciprocate that gift. Tribal societies are generally associated with, reciprocity, though tribal, as well as most other cultures, normally make use of more than one form of economic integration.
For further information:
For an in depth look at modes of integration and reciprocity in particular read Karl
Polanyi's "The Economy as Instituted Process," from the book Trade and
Markets in Early Empires, pp. 250-256 (Chicago: Henry Regnery, 1971).
Composed by Patrick Findlay, Sara Jones, Sally McIver, Joseph Billeaud, and Ted Weiman.
Last updated 26 February 1997