Darwinian Foundations for Evolutionary Economics

J. W. Stoelhorst

Journal of Economic Issues, 2008, vol. 42, issue 2, 415-423

Abstract: This paper engages with the methodological debate on the contribution of Darwinism to Veblen’s (1898) evolutionary research program for economics. I argue that ontological continuity, generalized Darwinism, and multi-level selection are necessary building blocks for an explanatory framework that can fulfill the promise of Veblen’s program. I clarify the causal logic of generalized Darwinism and suggest an ontology for the study of economic development on the basis of multi-level selection theory. Conceptualizing economic development along these lines has interesting implications for the evolutionary analysis of institutions: institutions only become units of selection in the competition between groups of individuals.

Date: 2008
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:mes:jeciss:v:42:y:2008:i:2:p:415-423

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DOI: 10.1080/00213624.2008.11507150

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