Gift-giving and reciprocity in global society: Introducing Marcel Mauss in international studies

Abstract

How do multiple obligations to give, to receive, and to reciprocate contribute to the evolution of international society? This question can be derived from the works of the French anthropologist and sociologist Marcel Mauss, in particular from his classic essay The Gift, published in 1925. The aim of this article is to introduce Mauss’ theory of the gift to international political theorists, to develop a general theoretical argument from his claim about the universality of gift-giving, and to lay out the plan of the Special Issue. First, we explore the basic concepts of gift-giving and reciprocity and how they highlight a type of exchange that differs from market exchange and from other forms of quid-pro-quo interactions. Second, we consider the Marshall Plan as an iconic and controversial example of international gift-giving. Third, we use Martin Wight’s division of international political thought into realism, rationalism, and revolutionism to locate the work of Mauss and neo-Maussian scholars within the tableau of modern international thought. Fourth, we take a look at the interplay between analytical and normative aspects of Mauss’ works and assess the theoretical purchase of these works for international studies. Finally, we introduce the contributions of the Special Issue.

The gift of health: Cuba’s development assistance in the Pacific

“…By giving, the giver is shown to be generous and deserving of respect; by receiving a gift, the recipient shows respect to the giver and their own generosity; while the obligation to return the gift demonstrates that one's honour is equivalent to that of the original giver (Anthrobase, n.d.). This reciprocity is fundamental to gift exchange, however it is asynchronous and in-kind allowing gift exchanges to be understood as expressions of social bonds rather than as payback for benefits received (Heins, Unrau, & Avram, 2018). This exchange is not simply as expression of individual relationships.…”

“…Therefore the gift has a significant role in the creation and maintenance of social relationships and, as Douglas (2002, p. xiii) argues in the foreword to the 1990/2002 translation of The Gift, is fundamentally a theory of human solidarity. Indeed, Heins et al (2018) describe Mauss as a "soladarist", noting that this solidarity is not a prerequisite for group cooperation but a resource built up through cycles of gift exchange.…”

Gifts, reciprocity and ethically sound ethnographic research: a reflexive framework

“…Moreover, such exchange takes place not only between individuals but also between entire tribes, clans and families. The purpose of gift exchange, Mauss argues, is not so much the redistribution of resources or exchange of goods but rather the creation and maintenance of relationships (Heins et al , 2018, p. 128). These relationships are forged through gifts, as – according to Mauss – any gift will carry with it a social force that obliges the receiver to reciprocate.…”

“…24-25, 61). Moreover, unlike other types of commodity exchange, gift-giving is asynchronous and the counter gift is thus not expected immediately; moreover, the exchange does not have a predefined currency (Heins et al , 2018, p. 128).…”

The gift as colonial ideology? Marcel Mauss and the solidarist colonial policy in the interwar era

“…Reading Sarraut’s essays in parallel with Mauss’ unpublished manuscript, one cannot but be impressed by the complementarity of views between the solidarist policymakers and the socialist thinkers on the colonial issue. Sarraut and Mauss’ interventions in the public debate or through their teaching formed part of a reformist colonial discourse in which the figure of the gift was deployed at great length, as “the gift”—rather than “the taking,” as Carl Schmitt argued (see Heins et al, 2018)—was to become the foundation of the international solidarity between the metropolis and its colonies. The gift, conceived in solidarist terms as an implicit contract, created obligations and duties for both the metropolis and the colonies, and these obligations defined the colonial contract that Sarraut wanted to impose in lieu of the Colonial Pact.…”