The world of the gift
By: Jacques T. Godbout in collaboration with Alain Caillé ; translated from the French by Donald Winkler.
Contributors: Caillé, Alain, 1944-; Winkler, Donald.
Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press
Published: 1998
Place of publication: Montreal; Ithaca
Language: eng
Number of pages: 250
Subjects: Gifts.; Exchange.; Gifts -- Social aspects.
Description: In an age dominated by consumerism and government agencies, many people believe that self-interest is the dominant motive in society. Gifts are seen as, at best, irrelevant frills. In The World of the Gift Jacques Godbout and Alain Caille show that, in fact, the gifts is all-pervasive in our society.

The authors describe the gift not as an object but as a social connection, perhaps the most important social connection because it creates a sense of obligation to respond in kind. They examine how the gift works today in a broad range of cases such as blood and organ donation; volunteer work; the bonds between friends, couples, and family; Santa Claus; the interaction between performers and their audience; and the relation of the artist to society.
Notes: Translation of: L'esprit du don.
Includes bibliographical references (p. [233]-245) and index.