Thesis (MPhil (Sociology and Social Anthropology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Internet has long stimulated thought and discussion around the idea of an alternative
economy based on reciprocal exchange. To date, however, the benefits of this gift
economy have been largely limited to the realms of cyberspace. Despite the dramatic
changes in social interaction and exchanges facilitated by online networking, and the
evolution of what may be referred to as a ‘high-tech gift economy’, the potential of the
Internet to really revolutionize economic systems has been limited, as the gifting involved
did not extend beyond the realms of cyberspace. By contrast to this global, virtual, gift
economy that has developed online, this thesis explores the way in which Information and
Communication 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, the
Community Exchange System (CES), which originated in Cape Town towards the end of
2002, and has since spread to be used by 218 exchanges in 29 countries. Particular
attention is paid to the pilot exchange that was launched in Cape Town, namely the Cape
Town Talent Exchange (CTTE).
The thesis proposes that web-based community currencies can provide an alternative to
the current economic system, allowing for a relationship-centred approach to exchange
that can be likened to a type of gift economy, centred on the principle of reciprocity, and
fostering a spirit of abundance over scarcity. By doing so it is proposed that what Karl
Polanyi (1944) referred to as the ‘great transformation’ of the 20th century, characterised
by a shift in emphasis from human relationships to market price mechanisms, may be
reversed in the ‘network society’ (Castells, 1996), in which principles of reciprocity and gift
exchange are re-embedded in ‘relationship economics’ (Deragon, 2007).
Part A provides a review of literature pertaining to online anthropology and the concept of
a 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 to
the CES as example of an alternative community currency operating a web-based
platform, beginning with an introductory overview of the CES and CTTE, followed by a
look at issues pertaining to reciprocity, and speculation on possible futures for this and
similar web-based community currency systems. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Internet prikkel al lank idees en gesprekke oor ‘n alternatiewe ekonomie gebaseer op,
‘geskenk-handel’. Tot dusver is die voordele van hierdie ’geskenk-ekonomie’ egter beperk
tot die dimensies van die kuber-ruimte. Ondanks dramatiese veranderinge in sosiale
verkeer, uitruil en handel wat deur die aanlyn-netwerke bewerkstellig is, en die evolusie
van wat as ‘high-tech geskenk ekonomie‘ beskryf kan word, was die potensiaal van die
Internet om werklik ekonomiese sisteme om te keer, beperk. In teenstelling met die
globale, virtuele geskenk/uitruil-ekonomie wat aanlyn ontwikkel het, ondersoek hierdie
tesis die manier waarop Informasie en Kommunikasie Tegnologieë, tradisioneel bekend vir
hul globale reikwydte, gebruik kan word om plaaslike uitruilsisteme te bou en te versterk.
Die navorsing lê klem op die ontstaan van ‘n alternatiewe aanlyn-geldeenheidsisteem, die
Gemeenskaps Uitruil Sisteem (‘Community Exchange System’ CES), wat aan die einde
van 2002 in Kaapstad ontstaan het. Dit het sedertdien uitgebrei na 218 uitruilskemas in 29
lande. Spesiale aandag val op die loods uitruilskema wat in Kaapstad begin is, te wete die
Cape Town Talent Exchange (CTTE) (Kaapstadse Talent Uitruilskema)
Die verhandeling voer aan dat ‘n web-gebaseerde gemeenskapmark ‘n alternatiewe
ekonomiese sisteem kan teweegbring. Dit kan lei tot ‘n benadering tot uitruil wat
verhoudings-gesentreerd is, vergelykbaar met ‘n soort geskenk-ekonomie wat toegespits
is op die beginsel van wederkerigheid. So kan ‘n oorvloed-bewustheid, pleks van
skaarsheidsbewustheid bevorder word. Dit word aangevoer dat dit waarna Karl Polanyi
(1944) as die ‘Groot Transformasie’ van die 20ste eeu verwys het, gekarakteriseer deur ‘n
klemverskuiwing van menslike verhoudings na markgedrewe meganismes, kan terug
verander na ‘n ‘netwerk-gemeenskap’ (Castells, 1996). Hierin is die beginsels van
wederkerigheid en geskenk-uitruil ingebed in 'n tipe ‘verhoudings-ekonomie’ (Deragon,
2007).
Deel A gee ‘n oorsig van die literatuur oor aanlynantropologie en die konsep van ‘n
wederkerige geskenk ‘e-ekonomie’, die sosiale dimensie van ekonomie, en die teorie van
‘geld’ en alternatiewe betaalmiddele. Deel B gee ‘n oorsig van navorsingbevindings ten
opsigte van die CES en CTTE as voorbeeld van ‘n alternatiewe
gemeenskapsbetaalmetode wat van ‘n webgebaseerde platform gebruik maak. Dit word,
gevolg deur opmerkings oor wederkerigheid (en) spekulasie oor die moontlike toekoms
daarvan en van soortgelyke Internet-gebaseerde gemeenskapsbetaalsisteme.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/5277 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Coetzee, Liezl |
| Contributors | Van der Waal, C. S., University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Sociology and Social Anthropology |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 163 p. |
| Rights | University of Stellenbosch |
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