Gift Economy
A system in which goods or services circulate through giving and social relationships, often with expectations of reciprocity.
Context
A gift economy can connect people through ongoing obligations, trust, or shared identity. Reciprocity may happen later or take a different form from the original gift.
Gift exchange can exist alongside markets and other ways of distributing resources. The relationships involved are important to understanding how it works.
Examples
- Neighbors share tools, help with repairs, and bring food to one another over time without pricing each favor as a separate transaction.