Rethinking Economics: A Narrative Review of Reciprocity and Community-Based Exchange Systems
Keywords:
Community-Based Economy, Non-Market Exchange, Reciprocity, Solidarity Economy, Moral Economy, Informal Cooperation, Complementary CurrencyAbstract
This study presents a comprehensive narrative review of community-based economies and non-market exchange systems, focusing on their role in promoting resilience, inclusion, and sustainability. The review seeks to understand how practices such as complementary currencies, informal barter, and cooperative networks support economic well-being through moral and social values like reciprocity, trust, and solidarity. A systematic search was conducted across Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and JSTOR, using targeted keywords to collect empirical and theoretical studies spanning global contexts, with emphasis on marginalized, indigenous, and multiethnic communities. Findings reveal that non-market systems are not residual, but active mechanisms through which communities address inequality and institutional neglect. Case studies such as Kenya's Sarafu currency exemplify how localized financial systems can strengthen social cohesion during crises. Likewise, cooperative practices among women and multiethnic groups demonstrate the capacity of reciprocal economies to challenge systemic inequities and transform social roles. However, challenges persist, including legal ambiguities, limited state support, and global market pressures. The discussion emphasizes that sustainability of these systems depends on integrative political, legal, and economic frameworks that recognize the legitimacy of alternative economies. This review underscores the necessity of rethinking development strategies by embedding moral and relational principles into policy design. It calls for inclusive governance, adaptive legal environments, and continued research into the evolving dynamics of community economies in the digital era.
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