'There is growing recognition that quality of relationships is the key to personal well-being in terms of health, education and participation in society. So there is every reason for governments and NGOs to seek to 'nudge' people in the direction of strengthening their relationships. However, to justify public spending requires that outcomes can be measured. Lorna Zischka's ground-breaking book gives government decision-makers and NGO leaders a valuable tool towards the goal of measuring quality of relationships in families and communities so as to be able to assess the effectiveness of their interventions.'
--Michael Schluter, Chairman of Relational Research, UK'At last, we have a book that connects the three important strands of social science literature: the quality of inter-personal relations and the wider community; people's social capital in terms of stocks and flows; and the growing literature on giving, generosity and altruism. The author brings much needed clarity and solid empirical evidence to what motivates people and makes for engaged communities, and, ultimately, a good life.'
--Helmut K. Anheier, Hertie School of Governance and Heidelberg University, Germany

'A brilliant and thought-provoking book that should change the way social scientists and policy makers of all stripes do their work and understand the work that they do. For too long the study of social interactions has been impoverished by the cynical anthropological assumption of homo oeconomicus. In this book, full of insights and evidence, the author creatively explores the consequences on social cohesion and well-being stemming from the adoption of a relational perspective. The practice of gift as gratuitousness, by generating social capital and trust, makes better communities, and in so doing enhances life-satisfaction. The author explains why policies and business practices that ignore interpersonal relationships and prosocial motivation of people often fail. This original and interdisciplinary work will provide a fascinating read for researchers and student across a wide range of fields.'
--Stefano Zamagni, University of Bologna and Johns Hopkins University, SAIS Europe, Italy