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The gift economy and the development of sustainability

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  • Niels Thygesen

Abstract

This article contends that a new perspective on the economy – a gift economy – would be beneficial to the development of sustainability. The principles and practices of the gift economy (giving, receiving and reciprocating) are exemplified by a case study of the Danish island of Samsø, which has used it to achieve environmental sustainability, improve its economic situation and generate social value. In order to illustrate the values and principles that underpin the gift economy, the article shows the underlying exchange mechanisms used in this modern version of ‘gift-giving’ and contrasts them to using money as the medium of exchange. One of the mainstays of the gift economy is the willingness and obligation to reciprocate, and the case study highlights some of the original ways of organising that have emerged from the gift economy on Samsø and how significantly they differ from organising and managing by budgets. As such, the article attempts to reframe the understanding of the economy and, in particular, to qualify and illustrate the potential of the organising principles behind the gift economy and encourage readers to conduct further research and engage in initiatives that will make a positive contribution to the development of sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Niels Thygesen, 2019. "The gift economy and the development of sustainability," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 34(6), pages 493-509, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:loceco:v:34:y:2019:i:6:p:493-509
    DOI: 10.1177/0269094219882261
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eero Vaara & Richard Whittington, 2012. "Strategy as practice : Taking Social Practices Seriously," Post-Print hal-02276672, HAL.
    2. Damon Golsorkhi & Linda Rouleau & David Seidl & Eero Vaara, 2010. "Cambridge Handbook of Strategy as Practice," Post-Print hal-02298145, HAL.
    3. Damon Golsorkhi & Linda Rouleau & David Seidl & Eero Vaara, 2010. "Cambridge handbook of strategy as practic," Post-Print hal-00578622, HAL.
    4. Eero Vaara & Richard Whittington, 2012. "Strategy as practice : Taking Social Practices Seriously," Post-Print hal-02312709, HAL.
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    2. Yuko Otake & Fabien Hagenimana, 2021. "Gift economy and well‐being: A mode of economy playing out in recovery from Rwandan tragedies," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(5), pages 930-940, September.
    3. Surana, Kavita & Singh, Anuraag & Sagar, Ambuj D, 2020. "Strengthening science, technology, and innovation-based incubators to help achieve Sustainable Development Goals: Lessons from India," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    4. Jan Kovanda, 2021. "Economy‐wide material system analysis: Mapping material flows through the economy," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(5), pages 1121-1135, October.
    5. Christa Breum Amhøj & John Diamond & Flemming Olsen, 2019. "Rethinking public value through the lens of sustainability," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 34(6), pages 618-624, September.
    6. World Bank, 2021. "India," World Bank Publications - Reports 35499, The World Bank Group.
    7. Emilio Abad-Segura & Ana Batlles de la Fuente & Mariana-Daniela González-Zamar & Luis Jesús Belmonte-Ureña, 2020. "Effects of Circular Economy Policies on the Environment and Sustainable Growth: Worldwide Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-27, July.

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