1. Notion of gift

Marcel Mauss’s Essai sur le don analyzes the concept of the gift as essential in forming social bonds, presenting giving not as purely altruistic but as a means to create reciprocal obligations. In this cycle, a gift requires a counter-gift, establishing a relationship of mutual dependence. This principle extends beyond primitive societies to modern interactions, including professional, friendly, and romantic relationships.

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Mauss observes that even in structured workplaces, informal give-and-take—like sharing knowledge or helping a colleague—can foster cooperation more effectively than formal procedures, as it relies on personal goodwill and emotions such as pride, gratitude, and recognition.

 

He highlights the kula exchange among tribes, where gifts serve as symbolic links, supported by ceremonies that emphasize their social and spiritual significance. The cycle of giving, receiving, and reciprocating builds cohesion and long-lasting bonds.

In modern organizations, giving often involves personal sacrifice (time, skills, effort), with gratitude reinforcing the reciprocity. Mauss’s work thus illustrates that giving is not just an economic action; it is a socially complex practice with emotional depth, vital for solidarity and collective success in any society.