Local exchange through community currency in an alternative gift economy : an anthropological analysis of the Cape Town talent exchange

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Internet has long stimulated thought and discussion around the idea of an alternativeeconomy based on reciprocal exchange. To date, however, the benefits of this gifteconomy have been largely limited to the realms of cyberspace. Despite the dramaticchanges in social interaction and exchanges facilitated by online networking, and theevolution of what may be referred to as a 'high-tech gift economy', the potential of theInternet to really revolutionize economic systems has been limited, as the gifting involveddid not extend beyond the realms of cyberspace. By contrast to this global, virtual, gifteconomy that has developed online, this thesis explores the way in which Information andCommunication Technologies (ICTs), traditionally renowned for enhancing global reach,can be used to build and strengthen local exchange systems using community currencies.The research focuses specifically on the emergence of an alternative online currency, theCommunity Exchange System (CES), which originated in Cape Town towards the end of2002, and has since spread to be used by 218 exchanges in 29 countries. Particularattention is paid to the pilot exchange that was launched in Cape Town, namely the CapeTown Talent Exchange (CTTE).The thesis proposes that web-based community currencies can provide an alternative tothe current economic system, allowing for a relationship-centred approach to exchangethat can be likened to a type of gift economy, centred on the principle of reciprocity, andfostering a spirit of abundance over scarcity. By doing so it is proposed that what KarlPolanyi (1944) referred to as the 'great transformation' of the 20th century, characterisedby a shift in emphasis from human relationships to market price mechanisms, may bereversed in the 'network society' (Castells, 1996), in which principles of reciprocity and giftexchange are re-embedded in 'relationship economics' (Deragon, 2007).Part A provides a review of literature pertaining to online anthropology and the concept ofa reciprocal gift 'e-conomy', the social dimension of economics, and the theory of 'money'and alternative currencies. Part B provides an overview of research findings pertaining tothe CES as example of an alternative community currency operating a web-basedplatform, beginning with an introductory overview of the CES and CTTE, followed by alook at issues pertaining to reciprocity, and speculation on possible futures for this andsimilar web-based community currency systems.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University