Politics of the Gift

<p>At the heart of capitalism lies the idea of 'homo economicus' an ever-rational human being motivated by self-interest which arguably leads societies to economic prosperity. </p><p> Drawing on French sociologist Marcel Mauss' influential theory of 'the gift' Frank Adloff shatters this fallacy to show mutual trust is the only glue that holds societies together; people are giving beings and they can cooperate for the benefit of all when the logic of maximizing personal gain in capitalism is broken. </p><p> Acknowledging the role of women nature and workers in the Global South in transforming society this book proposes a politics of conviviality (from the Latin con-vivere: living together) for global and environmental justice as an alternative to the pursuit of profit growth and consumption.</p>