« Each individual act in a system of reciprocity is usually characterized by a combination of what one might call short-term altruism and long-term self-interest. I help you out now in the (possible, vague, uncertain, and uncalculating) expectation that you will help me out in the future. Reciprocity is made up of a series of acts each of which os short-run altruistic (benefiting others at a cost to the altruist), but which together typically make every participant better off.”
Michael Taylor, cité dans Bowling alone de Robert Putnam