Sociology of Giving by Helmuth Berking
This book decodes the ambivalence of gift-giving. It examines its socio-ethical and integrative potential. Following a short recollection of contemporary gift-giving, its motives, occasions and its rules, the reader is invited to travel back in time and space examining ′sacrifice′, ′food-sharing′, and ′gift giving′ as those basic institutions upon which symbolic orders of ′traditional′ society rely. The historical invention of hospitality is considered and paves the way to an analysis of the anthropology of giving. Berking goes on to explore the transition from traditional society to the market, self interest form. He questions the view that our societies are dominated by individualism and explores the contemporary interplay between self interest and the common good.
Helmuth Berking is Assistant Professor in Sociology at the Free University, Berlin.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780761956495 |
| ISBN 10 | 0761956492 |
| Title | Sociology of Giving |
| Author | Helmuth Berking |
| Series | Published In Association With Theory Culture And Society |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications Inc |
| Year published | 1999-03-30 |
| Number of pages | 176 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |