Reciprocity as the Basis of the Structure and Functioning of the Third Sector

The activities of the third sector are based on the principle of the economic behavior of reciprocity. This principle underlies their raison d’etre, which is to offer an alternative political project. Their functioning is based on three forms of reciprocity—unequal reciprocity, reciprocity between peers, and multilateral reciprocity—which enter into dynamic interactions with capitalist and/or state activities. In these relations, reciprocity can be inclusive, or on the contrary can be manipulated by other principles of economic behavior. This analysis shows that the third sector is an operational concept.