Gift Economy-Civil Economy-non Profit. Perspectives to Relaunch the Southern Italy

This paper is divided into four sections. In the first part the key points ofthe system of the «gift economy» are outlined, as opposed to market economyin the strict sense, since it bases its «status» on the usage value, rather than onthe trade (or commercial) value of goods; in the second part current aspects ofthis system are emphasized, also in reference to the new issues of «degrowth»and «economy without money». In the third and fourth sections, referring specificallyto Southern Italy, it is investigated whether the presence of a historicallyfounded substrate of civil economy may represent a useful basis for the spreadof non-profit organizations as a force for economic and social growth of thisarea. In this context, taking into consideration the role of the State in promotingand developing «Third Sector» businesses is the «landing point» and the «proposal» of this paper.