Creating wellbeing through reciprocal relationships

This chapter discusses reciprocity in connection to wellbeing and welfare. The underlying idea suggests that reciprocal relations take place between individuals, communities and even societies. Wellbeing and also welfare in these relations can be depicted as dependent on how equally resources are shared, how people are respected and what kind of real possibilities they have to choose. These questions are framed by practical, symbolic and moral dimensions of reciprocity. They clarify the importance of people’s social commitments and the need to transfer from individualistic services to empowerment at a community level.