ABSTRACT
A grant is always a relationship between two or more parties. In the simple two-party relationship it involves the grantor or donor on the one hand and the recipient on the other. Thus, a grant involves at least two decisions—a decision 2 on the part of the donor to make a grant and a decision on the part of the recipient to receive it. The decision of the donor may seem to be the more significant of the two, but the decision of the recipient is by no means insignificant. There may be elements of threat in the recipient’s decision to receive, just as these elements may take part in the decision of the grantor to give. It is not always unreasonable to be unwilling to receive a gift horse without looking it in the mouth. Grants can also be initiated by the recipient asking or applying for them. Therefore, if we are to perceive the special significance of the grant in the spectrum of human relationships and behavior, we must first look at the general pattern of these relationships.
