Evolution for our time: a theory of legal memetics

Simon Deakin

Working Papers from Centre for Business Research, University of Cambridge

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to explore the significance for legal thought of recent developments in evolutionary theory which are associated with the notion of 'memetics'. 'Memetics' aims to account for processes of cultural transmission and change using a version of the 'genetic metaphor'. This is the idea that patterns of cultural evolution are closely analogous to those which occur in the natural world as a result of the interaction between genes, organisms and environments. At a further, more ambitious level, the initial metaphor gives way to a search for mechanisms which unite biological and cultural evolution. Identifying these general evolutionary mechanisms is part of a wide-ranging, interdisciplinary research agenda.

Keywords: legal evolution; memes; path dependence; employment contract; corporate governance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: K22 K31 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2002-09
Note: PRO-2
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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