<P> Reciprocity makes it possible to build continuing relationships and exchanges . Fukiyama states that "If the institutions of democracy and capitalism are to work properly, they must coexist within certain premodern cultural habits that ensure their proper functioning" (p. 11). He goes on to say "Law, contract, and economic rationality and prosperity .... must as well be leavened with reciprocity, moral obligation, duty toward community, and trust.... The latter are not anachronisms in a modern society but rather the sine qua non of the latter's success" (p. 11) According to the sociologist Alvin Gouldner (1960), this norm is nearly universal, and only a few members of society--the very young, the sick, or the old--are exempt from it . </P> <P> Reciprocal actions differ from altruistic actions in that reciprocal actions only follow from others' initial actions, while altruism is the unconditional act of social gift - giving without any hope or expectation of future positive responses . Some distinguish between ideal altruism (giving with no expectation of future reward) and reciprocal altruism (giving with limited expectation or the potential for expectation of future reward). For more information on this idea, see altruism or altruism (ethics). </P> <P> Reciprocity dates as far back as the time of Hammurabi (c. 1792--1750 BC). Hammurabi's code, a collection of 282 laws and standards, lists crimes and their various punishments as well as guidelines for citizens' conduct . The code was formalized example that demanded the individual act in terms of the public interest . The "eye for an eye" principles in which the laws were written mirror the idea of direct reciprocity . For example, if a person caused the death of another person, the killer would be put to death: </P> <P> Law #196: "If a man destroy the eye of another man, they shall destroy his eye . If one break a man's bone, they shall break his bone . If one destroy the eye of a freeman or break the bone of a freeman he shall pay one gold mina . If one destroy the eye of a man's slave or break a bone of a man's slave he shall pay one - half his price ." </P>

Who created the idea that reciprocity is important for maintaining relationships