Abstract
An Examination of Gift Exchange As A Communication System in The Context of Luhmann's Systems Theory
The exchange of gifts, which represent significant functions in the triangle of human, society and culture, are among the cornerstones of social interaction. Having considered the reciprocity concept in primitive society in light of ethnographic data, Mauss laid down how gift exchange and potlatch culture functions in a self-producing cycle. Self-production is one of the basic concepts of Luhmann. self-production of functional systems is carried out over communication channels. This paper is intended to show and stress the importance of gift exchange within the social system with a focus on its past and current functions. Consequently, principles of exchange defined by Mauss is one of the mechanisms that Luhmann calls as a communication system. In Luhmann’s words, principles of gift exchange operate as choice and motivation mechanisms and their meaning are ascribed based on the way choices are made.
Keywords
Culture, communication, reciprocity, potlatch, gift.
