Hardback
Institutions and Evolution of Capitalism
Essays in Honour of Geoffrey M. Hodgson
9781785364990 Edward Elgar Publishing
In just over 30 years, Geoff Hodgson has made substantial contributions to institutional economics, evolutionary economics, economic methodology, the history of economic thought and social theory. To mark his seminal work, this volume brings together original contributions by world-leading scholars in specific areas that have played a significant role in influencing his thinking or represent key debates to which he has contributed. Building on some of the most significant philosophical and methodological foundations underlying Hodgson''s work, the volume is organised around the recurring themes of institutions, evolution and capitalism.
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Critical Acclaim
Contributors
Contents
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Geoff Hodgson has made substantial contributions to institutional and evolutionary economics, economic methodology, the history of economic thought and social theory. To mark his seminal work, this book features original contributions by world-leading scholars from fields that have played a significant role in influencing his thinking or represent key debates to which he has contributed.
Building on some of the central philosophical and methodological foundations underlying Hodgson’s thinking, the book is organized around the recurring themes of institutions, evolution and capitalism. The contributors explore key connections between philosophy, the history of economic thought, and institutional and evolutionary economics in the light of Hodgson’s often path-breaking work.
A vital read for institutional, evolutionary and heterodox economists, this book sheds new light on Hodgson’s position in these fields. Drawing together critical insights, this is also an important book for economics scholars looking to improve their understanding of current theory.
Building on some of the central philosophical and methodological foundations underlying Hodgson’s thinking, the book is organized around the recurring themes of institutions, evolution and capitalism. The contributors explore key connections between philosophy, the history of economic thought, and institutional and evolutionary economics in the light of Hodgson’s often path-breaking work.
A vital read for institutional, evolutionary and heterodox economists, this book sheds new light on Hodgson’s position in these fields. Drawing together critical insights, this is also an important book for economics scholars looking to improve their understanding of current theory.
Critical Acclaim
‘The 19 original contributions that are gathered in this book are of the utmost interest. One cannot but recommend reading them and, of course, reading the book.’
– Alain Marciano, The Review of Austrian Economics
‘For anyone with an interest in Hodgson’s work, this book is a useful supplement to Hodgson’s key publications. For academic lawyers contemplating reading the book, consideration should be given to Deakin’s concluding sentiment: "Hodgson’s work has shown that lawyers and economists can engage in a mutually beneficial conversation about the institutional bases of market economies, and this should be supported if a genuinely useful ‘law and economics’ movement is to emerge".’
– Richard Craven, Social & Legal Studies
‘We are in an era when fundamental debates about the nature of the economy and economics are not mere academic curiosities but an urgent necessity for society. Long-dominant theories have crumbled and major challenges loom. Bold new thinking is required and few have been bolder than Geoffrey Hodgson. This volume, by a distinguished group of scholars, gives new insights into Hodgson’s decades-long body of work and will surely spark new ideas and debate. The economy is an evolutionary system and someday future historians will say “Hodgson was right.”’
– Eric Beinhocker, University of Oxford, UK and author of The Origin of Wealth
‘This impressive collection is a fitting tribute to Geoff Hodgson, with substantial contributions from senior colleagues covering the many areas in economics in which he has worked over the course of a long and successful career.’
– Jochen Runde, University of Cambridge, UK
‘Geoffrey Hodgson has for some time been one of the most creative and provocative writers arguing for a more evolutionary economics that paid more attention to the institutions driving and molding economic change. This collection of essays in his honor is of broad scope and high quality. They provide a pleasurable, informative read.’
– Richard R. Nelson, Columbia University, US
‘Whether you sign on to every proposition in neo-institutionalism or not, you will want to own this stunning volume. All the best bowlers are here, at the top of their games, the better to test your batting skills. It’s a testimony to Hodgson’s breadth and brilliance, but more: the state of play in a major field of economics.’
– Deirdre Nansen McCloskey, University of Illinois at Chicago, US
– Alain Marciano, The Review of Austrian Economics
‘For anyone with an interest in Hodgson’s work, this book is a useful supplement to Hodgson’s key publications. For academic lawyers contemplating reading the book, consideration should be given to Deakin’s concluding sentiment: "Hodgson’s work has shown that lawyers and economists can engage in a mutually beneficial conversation about the institutional bases of market economies, and this should be supported if a genuinely useful ‘law and economics’ movement is to emerge".’
– Richard Craven, Social & Legal Studies
‘We are in an era when fundamental debates about the nature of the economy and economics are not mere academic curiosities but an urgent necessity for society. Long-dominant theories have crumbled and major challenges loom. Bold new thinking is required and few have been bolder than Geoffrey Hodgson. This volume, by a distinguished group of scholars, gives new insights into Hodgson’s decades-long body of work and will surely spark new ideas and debate. The economy is an evolutionary system and someday future historians will say “Hodgson was right.”’
– Eric Beinhocker, University of Oxford, UK and author of The Origin of Wealth
‘This impressive collection is a fitting tribute to Geoff Hodgson, with substantial contributions from senior colleagues covering the many areas in economics in which he has worked over the course of a long and successful career.’
– Jochen Runde, University of Cambridge, UK
‘Geoffrey Hodgson has for some time been one of the most creative and provocative writers arguing for a more evolutionary economics that paid more attention to the institutions driving and molding economic change. This collection of essays in his honor is of broad scope and high quality. They provide a pleasurable, informative read.’
– Richard R. Nelson, Columbia University, US
‘Whether you sign on to every proposition in neo-institutionalism or not, you will want to own this stunning volume. All the best bowlers are here, at the top of their games, the better to test your batting skills. It’s a testimony to Hodgson’s breadth and brilliance, but more: the state of play in a major field of economics.’
– Deirdre Nansen McCloskey, University of Illinois at Chicago, US
Contributors
Contributors: M.C. Becker, C. Camic, J.B. Davis, S. Deakin, K. Dopfer, G. Dosi, S.C. Dow, F. Gagliardi, D. Gindis, J. Groenewegen, G.M. Hodgson, T. Knudsen, R.N. Langlois, T. Lawson, L. Marengo, C. Ménard, J.S. Metcalfe, P. Mirowski, A. Nuvolari, U. Pagano, J. Potts, J.W. Stoelhorst, A. Tylecote, V.J. Vanberg, J. Vromen
Contents
Contents:
PART I INTRODUCTION
1 Institutions and evolution of capitalism in Geoff Hodgson’s
work 2
Francesca Gagliardi and David Gindis
PART II FOUNDATIONS
2 Geoff Hodgson on pluralism and historical specificity 14
Sheila C. Dow
3 Mathematical modelling in economics: seeking a rationale 29
Tony Lawson
4 Dissembling nature, elusive economy 44
Philip Mirowski
5 The rest of the resume: Veblen’s teaching and service activities 62
Charles Camic
6 Hodgson, cumulative causation and reflexive economic agents 78
John B. Davis
PART III INSTITUTIONAL ECONOMICS
7 Bridging Original and New Institutional Economics? 93
John Groenewegen
8 Dimensionalizing institutions 110
Claude Ménard
9 Juridical ontology and the theory of the firm 127
Simon Deakin
10 The corporation is not a nexus of contracts: it’s an iPhone 142
Richard N. Langlois
11 Property, possession and knowledge 157
Ugo Pagano
12 Near misses – a capitalist aborted take-off and a no-show: the
United Provinces and Ming China 178
Andrew Tylecote
13 Institutions are neither autistic maximizers nor flocks of birds:
self-organization, power and learning in human organizations 194
Giovanni Dosi, Luigi Marengo and Alessandro Nuvolari
PART IV EVOLUTIONARY ECONOMICS
14 Industry and Trade : Marshall’s magnificent dynamics 215
J. Stanley Metcalfe
15 Generalized Darwinism, the nature of selection and market
efficiency
231
J.W. Stoelhorst
16 Cultural evolution, group selection and downward causation 250
Viktor J. Vanberg
17 Generalized Darwinism, routines and morality 264
Jack Vromen
18 The ubiquity of habits and routines and their contribution to
management theory 282
Markus C. Becker
19 The role of selection processes in organizational evolution 299
Thorbjørn Knudsen
20 Why is evolutionary economics not an empirical science? 314
Kurt Dopfer and Jason Potts
PART V GEOFF HODGSON ON GEOFF HODGSON
21 A conversation with Geoff Hodgson 328
Francesca Gagliardi, David Gindis and Geoffrey M. Hodgson
Index 353
PART I INTRODUCTION
1 Institutions and evolution of capitalism in Geoff Hodgson’s
work 2
Francesca Gagliardi and David Gindis
PART II FOUNDATIONS
2 Geoff Hodgson on pluralism and historical specificity 14
Sheila C. Dow
3 Mathematical modelling in economics: seeking a rationale 29
Tony Lawson
4 Dissembling nature, elusive economy 44
Philip Mirowski
5 The rest of the resume: Veblen’s teaching and service activities 62
Charles Camic
6 Hodgson, cumulative causation and reflexive economic agents 78
John B. Davis
PART III INSTITUTIONAL ECONOMICS
7 Bridging Original and New Institutional Economics? 93
John Groenewegen
8 Dimensionalizing institutions 110
Claude Ménard
9 Juridical ontology and the theory of the firm 127
Simon Deakin
10 The corporation is not a nexus of contracts: it’s an iPhone 142
Richard N. Langlois
11 Property, possession and knowledge 157
Ugo Pagano
12 Near misses – a capitalist aborted take-off and a no-show: the
United Provinces and Ming China 178
Andrew Tylecote
13 Institutions are neither autistic maximizers nor flocks of birds:
self-organization, power and learning in human organizations 194
Giovanni Dosi, Luigi Marengo and Alessandro Nuvolari
PART IV EVOLUTIONARY ECONOMICS
14 Industry and Trade : Marshall’s magnificent dynamics 215
J. Stanley Metcalfe
15 Generalized Darwinism, the nature of selection and market
efficiency
231
J.W. Stoelhorst
16 Cultural evolution, group selection and downward causation 250
Viktor J. Vanberg
17 Generalized Darwinism, routines and morality 264
Jack Vromen
18 The ubiquity of habits and routines and their contribution to
management theory 282
Markus C. Becker
19 The role of selection processes in organizational evolution 299
Thorbjørn Knudsen
20 Why is evolutionary economics not an empirical science? 314
Kurt Dopfer and Jason Potts
PART V GEOFF HODGSON ON GEOFF HODGSON
21 A conversation with Geoff Hodgson 328
Francesca Gagliardi, David Gindis and Geoffrey M. Hodgson
Index 353
