Reciprocidade e Hierarquia

Abstract

This paper suggests a re-evaluation of several analysis of exchange relations. It places special emphasis on M. Sahlins interpretation of gift exchange in Stone Age Economics, focusing on the complex of exchanges around "primitive" chiefs. It aims to set the grounds for a demonstration of the possibility of a concept which would synthesize Dumont's "hierarchy" with Levi Strauss's "reciprocity". Is is implied that this "redistributive" or "hierarchical reciprocity" would be differently institutionalized in specific situations. Only historical or ethnographic descriptions which consider the political aspects of exchange relations could allow us in the future to re-think the concept of reciprocity as implying a hierarchical dimension.

Keywords

• reciprocity
• hierarchy
• etnography of exchange
• redistribution