Problems and perspectives in the analysis of gift exchange and gift-wrapping

In this chapter, I consider the analytic validity of the ‘gift economy’ and ‘commodity’ economy debates. I then contextualise the case of gift exchange within the debates of the gift economy. My intention is to advance answers to the debate on the nature of gift and commodity exchange by looking at the definition of wrapping. More generally, the chapter outlines the themes that run throughout the thesis and clarifies my understanding of its key concepts.