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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
3 pages in length. Social relations encompass myriad elements that work in tandem to establish a given culture or community its foundation. The exchange system is one particularly intriguing component of social relations whereby the giving and receiving of tangible commodities stems not only from the need to barter goods with services but also as displays of love, affection and appreciation. The Western world has an exchange system quite diverse from those of simpler, more primitive peoples that has transformed into what many believe to be a distorted adaptation of what the essential principle of a most basic of human social undertaking. Comparing Africa's Bushmen to American exchange networks illustrates just how different the concept is throughout the world. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
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3 pages (~225 words per page)
File: LM1_TLCexchngsys.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
giving and receiving of tangible commodities stems not only from the need to barter goods with services but also as displays of such emotions as love, affection, appreciation and mourning.
The Western world has an exchange system quite diverse from those of simpler, more primitive peoples that has transformed into what many believe to be a distorted adaptation of
what the essential principle of a most basic of human social undertaking. Comparing Africas Bushmen to American exchange networks illustrates just how different the concept is throughout the world
with Western culture coveting material gain as a primary motivating factor or responding to coercion from social dictate. The constant strive for individualism amidst a highly competitive culture has significantly
modified the way in which Westerners apply their exchange system, an occurrence that can be traced back to the dawn of the Industrial Revolution. Prior to this watershed moment
in the history of mankind, Western exchange networks more readily resembled other cultures where the trading of goods and services was all about sustaining day-to-day existences rather than a tool
of economic competition. For the Bushmen, food represents a significant gesture; offerings are given as gifts as a way to secure social relations. Bushmen feel a great need
to give and receive food, perhaps to cement relationships with each other, perhaps to proved and strengthen their dependence upon each other; because the opportunity to do this does not
occur unless huge quantities of food are at hand, Bushmen always exchange presents of the foods that come in huge quantities, these being the meat of game antelope, tsi nuts,
and the nuts of the mangetti trees... (Thomas, 1989, p. 211) The motivation that drives Western exchange networks is derived from the desire to get ahead or improve oneself
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