International Conference on the Gift Economy
Nov 12-14, 2004: Las Vegas, Nevada

A Radically Different World View is Possible

The gift economy inside and outside of Patriarchal Capitalism

Abstract: Linda Christiansen-Ruffman

Women's Giving: A New Frame for Feminist Policy Demands

"Women have worked to transform political spaces and have made important, though fragile and highly contested gains in the last decades in affirming women's legal, sexual and reproductive rights, challenging fundamentalisms, opposing violence, and war, improving women's education, health and economic conditions. These struggles have broken new ground while remaining within the exchange paradigm. Our successes and failures challenge and inspire us to seek new terrain, recognizing that 'the masters tools can never be used to dismantle the masters house' (Audre Lord)." (Feminists for a Gift Economy Statement, Oct 22, 2001 Preparatory to the World Social Forum Porto Alegre Jan 2002)

At a recent national gathering in Pictou, Nova Scotia to discuss feminist social change strategy in the context of new neo-liberal realities, Canadian feminists brought gift related principles into their articulation of the feminist demand for an annual general income. This presentation will explore the significance of such a new value basis and knowledge paradigm for the future framing of feminist public policy engagement in general.

Biographical Information

Linda Christiansen-Ruffman is Professor of Sociology and Women's Studies at Saint Mary's University and co-founder of WWIFUN. She has been President of the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women (CRIAW), the Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association and Chair of Research Committee 32 of the International Sociological Association on Women in Society as well as local feminist organisations.

Articles about
the Gift Economy

Radio Interviews

Il Dono/ The Gift: A Feminist Analysis

Gift Economy Website

Conference Endorsers