Abstract
This paper takes stock of what the two conferences in Tanzania on the economy of affection and the moral economy in Africa have taught us about these forms of economy. It places the African cases in a comparative perspective using references to both Asia and Europe to illustrate the ubiquity of the moral economy phenomenon. The paper tries to illustrate what is common in the economy of affection and the moral economy but also what makes them different from each other. It begins with a conceptual overview and analysis before proceeding to a discussion of empirical cases which demonstrate similarities and differences. The paper concludes with some reflections on where research in this field may be going next.
