Reciprocity and the State

This paper outlines how norms of reciprocity play a role in building strong and effective states. This considers the state as a natural extension of norms that have evolved in families and communities. It surveys the main ideas in a range of different branches of the social sciences and discusses how they apply in two concrete policy settings: collection of taxes and the design of social security. It emphasises the value of considering policy reforms in terms of an evolving reciprocal social contract between the state and the citizen.