Contents
Preface page ix
Introduction 1
PART I THE GIFT: MEANINGS AND MOTIVES
1 The SocialMeaning of Things 15
Things and Social Relationships 17
Four Different Types of Social Relationship 21
The Four Basic Meanings of Gifts 26
Conflicting Social Lives of Things 30
Things: Markers asWell as Marks of Relationship 31
2 Patterns of Giving and Receiving 34
The Gift: Empirical Research 35
Psychological Functions of Giving 43
Motives to Give 45
Positive Feeling 46
Insecurity 47
Power and Prestige 47
Reciprocity, Equality 48
Self-Interest 48
Hostility, Hate, Contempt 49
Fiske’s Four Models and the Motives to Give 50
Offensive and Embarrassing Gifts 52
The Debt Balance: Source of Relational Risks 53
3 The Anatomy of Gratitude 56
The Spirit of the Gift 58
The Recipient of the Gift 64
Gratitude, Reciprocity, and Culture 67
Gratitude: The Moral Memory of Mankind 67
Gratitude, Power, Dependence 69
Gratitude Dissected 71
4 Women, Gifts, and Power 76
Empirical Research onWomen’s Gift Giving 81
Presents and Money Gifts 82
Hospitality 83
Care and Help 83
Blood and Organs 84
Four Models to InterpretWomen’s Gift Giving 86
Asymmetrical Reciprocity in Favor of Men 86
Equivalent Reciprocity 88
Asymmetrical Reciprocity in Favor ofWomen 90
Alternating Asymmetry 91
The Paradox of Female Gift Giving 95
PART II SOLIDARITY AND SELECTIVITY
5 Social Theory and Social Ties 101
Classical Theory: Unity of Generosity and Self-Interest 103
Affective and Instrumental Bases of Solidarity 103
Reciprocity and Morality as Bases of Social Ties 108
Modern Theory: Splitting Up Affection and Utility 112
Solidarity and Rational Choice Theory 112
Norms, Values, and Emotions as Bases of Solidarity 115
Combining Anthropological and Sociological Theory 116
Reciprocal Obligation 116
Motives 118
Ritual 120
6 Solidarity, Gifts, and Exclusion 123
Positive Manifestations of Solidarity 125
Giving Money 125
Giving Time 126
Giving Care 129
Negative Aspects and Consequences of Solidarity 133
The Two-Edged Sword of Solidarity 136
The Matthew Effect of Gift Giving 138
Philanthropic Particularism 139
Inherent Failures of Solidarity 142
7 Family Solidarity 144
The Relationship between Generations 147
Family Solidarity: Empirical Research 150
Dimensions of Family Solidarity 150
The Nature of Family Ties 152
Intergenerational Solidarity: Values and Beliefs 155
Caring for Family 157
The Troubled Side of Family Solidarity 159
Macro- and Microsolidarity 162
Family Solidarity: Solid but Ambivalent 165
PART III CONTEMPORARY SOLIDARITY
8 Changing Solidarity 169
Changing Society, Changing Individuals 171
Individualization and Social Ties 171
The Assertive Self 173
Diversification and Uncertainty amid
Strangers 175
Globalization and the New Society 177
Changes in Contemporary Solidarity 179
Traditional Solidarity 180
Local and Global Solidarity 181
Civil Solidarity 184
Transformed Solidarity 187
9 Solidarity and the Gift 189
The Gift: Meanings and Motives 190
Solidarity and Selectivity 192
Contemporary Solidarity 194
Solidarity and the Gift 195
Recognition of the Other 195
Social Distance 197
Motives for Solidarity 199
Reciprocity: Gift and Sacrifice 201
Toward a Theoretical Model of Solidarity 205
From Organic to Segmented Solidarity 208
References 213
Index 225