The Use of the Concept of Reciprocity for the Interpretation of Contemporary Advanced Industrial Societies: Ambiguities and Assets

Resumen

The author  rejects an  mechanical application  of reciprocity foranalysing social relations, both in past and current contexts. As the norm of reci­ procity is often invoked by the actors themselves, the research can reproduce actors' interested representations of their relations. The paper indicates some of the pro­blems involved.