 Progressive Path-Dependency?Jacob Powell Journal of Economic Issues, 2024, vol. 58, issue 1, 13-23 Abstract: Path-dependency is typically associated with a “lock-in” that is suboptimal. The sub-optimality of this “lock-in” is attributed to a degree of ceremonial encapsulation, eroding instrumentality, whereby network effects, technical and/or behavioral, create a state of irreversibility. However, all new ideas and technologies are ceremonially encapsulated to a degree, as they are socially embedded. Yet when the term path-dependency is invoked, it often has a negative connotation implying there is a preferable alternative: a state of no ceremonial encapsulation or pure-instrumentality? If so, this implies ceremonial habits of thought are merely there to be overcome. Yet ceremonial habits of thought are ever-present. This article, therefore, theorizes progressive institutional adjustment by considering how we can account for ceremonial habits of thought as more than a barrier, but also something to be utilized to facilitate change. By using rhetoric as a tool, we can play into ceremonial habits of thought, weaving policy through the ceremonial net to implementation where its instrumentality can be revealed, and a lock-in can form as constituents become accustomed to the material benefits provided. It is here where a progressive path-dependency is formed. Date: 2024 Downloads: (external link) Related works: Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:mes:jeciss:v:58:y:2024:i:1:p:13-23 Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from DOI: 10.1080/00213624.2024.2306454 Access Statistics for this article More articles in Journal of Economic Issues from Taylor & Francis Journals |
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