Gift economy and well-being: A mode of economy playing out in recovery from Rwandan tragedies

Previous studies challenge the assumption that economic growth improves subjective well-being, and argue that economic growth is incompatible with not only nature conservation but also subjective well-being. To achieve SDGs, a mode of economy that sustains both subjective well-being and the natural environment needs to be investigated. This ethnographic study explored community-based economy systems in post-genocide Rwanda, and elaborated the process and mechanisms by which the contemporary gift economy facilitated subjective well-being in culture and natural landscape. Findings showed that subjective well-being can be achieved by applying alternative modes of economy (gift economy, sharing economy) and having access to direct sources of well-being (natural environment, social cohesion, cultural identity, and spirituality), when basic needs are satisfied by well-established infrastructure and social services. This study contributes to understanding why and how people can be happy without money, and illuminate a mode of economy that can benefit the sustainable development of local communities.

Automated summary

Previous studies challenge the assumption that economic growth improves subjective well-being, and argue that a mode of economy sustaining both subjective well-being and the natural environment is needed to achieve SDGs. The ethnographic study in post-genocide Rwanda showed that subjective well-being can be facilitated by alternative economy modes and direct sources of well-being, when basic needs are satisfied by well-established infrastructure and social services. This study contributes to understanding why and how people can be happy without money, and illuminates an economy mode benefiting the sustainable development of local communities.