The values of reciprocity

Properly reciprocal and, in particular, reciprocitarian conducts result from the appropriate sentiments, and sentiments are more given than chosen. However, there are a number of ways in which relying more or less on reciprocity can be chosen. Such a choice should rest on the values and possibilities of reciprocities, qualified for their possible shortcomings. These choices and instruments include various types of social and institutional design. They rely on the existing or potential relevant social sentiments. Hence, they are also closely associated with ways of shaping and modifying such sentiments, in education both in childhood and in the general culture, including the effect of imitation and psychological and emotional “contagion.” At an overall level, social structures and these formations of social sentiments are closely interdependent (Jean-Jacques Rousseau published simultaneously his work on moral education, Emile, and his work on political theory, The Social Contract, and he considered the second to be an appendix to the first).

The values and shortcomings of reciprocities to be considered have been pointed out. They relate to efficiency, justice, and social relations. Reciprocity permits general sociability and social peace (through reciprocal respect), in particular the general possibility of a market system, and it corrects a number of market failures, although it can also somewhat impair strict economic efficiency in not making the best use of the information role of the price system.