Final answer:
The role of the Kabre exchange system is not focused on material equivalence like barter, but on fostering social bonds and interdependence within a community through reciprocal gift-giving. Over time, this creates a complex network of relationships and mutual obligations, contrasting with the impersonality of market exchanges.
Step-by-step explanation:
The role of difference in exchange, particularly in the context of Kabre exchange, is centered around the principle that exchanges are not merely transactions of equal value, like bartering, but rather about creating and maintaining social relationships and differences. Unlike barter, which requires a direct exchange of goods of equal perceived value, the Kabre exchange system is more akin to gift-giving and involves the establishment of ongoing relationships of reciprocal exchange. These relationships are a means to build and reinforce social ties and networks within a community.
One example provided is the hxaro practice among the Dobe Ju/'hoansi, where individuals establish durable exchange relationships by gifting items without an immediate or exact exchange requirement. The value of gifts, the timing of reciprocation, and the types of goods exchanged over time can vary, reinforcing social bonds rather than simply settling debts. In such systems, increasing the value of gifts subtly over time can enhance relationships, implying an investment in social capital rather than focusing solely on material equivalence.
By contrast, money was developed as a means of exchange to resolve the challenges of bartering, such as the double coincidence of wants. Money, in various physical forms, became the symbolic medium through which goods and services are traded, streamlining the process and allowing for a broader and more efficient marketplace.
In essence, exchanges like those practiced by the Kabre are not about achieving equality in material terms but about fostering social differentiation and interdependence. These exchanges cultivate a structure of mutual responsibility and trust, contrasting with market exchanges where the goal is often to maximize individual gain.