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on History and Philosophy of Economics |
| By: | Alexander Field |
| Abstract: | In spite of its checkered intellectual history, and in spite of the myriad proposals of alternative models that claim to account for the broad range of human behavior and to dispense with the need for selection above the organism level, a multilevel selection framework remains the only coherent means of accounting for the persistence and spread of behavioral inclinations which, at least upon first appearance at low frequency, would have been biologically altruistic. This argument is advanced on three tracks: through a review of experimental and observational evidence inconsistent with a narrow version of rational choice theory, through a critique of models or explanations purporting to account for prosocial behavior through other means, and via elaboration of the mechanisms, plausibility, and intellectual history of group selection. |
| Date: | 2004–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:esi:evopap:2004-19&r=hpe |
| By: | Jack Vromen |
| Abstract: | It is argued that the ‘routines as genes’ analogy is misleading in several respects. Neither genes nor routines program behaviour, if this is taken to involve, first, that they determine behaviour and, second, that they do so in a way that excludes conscious, deliberate choice. On a proper understanding of ‘gene’ and ‘routine’, knowledge of genes and routines falls far short of predicting behaviour. Furthermore, conscious, deliberate choice is not ruled out when genes or routines are operating. There is a sense in which it can be maintained that genes are (or act as) programs and that individual behaviour is based on them. Such programs might display considerable stability, but their causal impact on behaviour is so remote and indirect that knowing them has little predictive power. It might be possible to identify programs also at levels of organization higher than that of genes that have greater predictive power, but such programs are likely to be unstable over time. On a non-inflationary understanding of ‘routines’, individual organization members can be viewed as programs on which the smooth functioning of routines is based. This is a far cry from the claim that routines determine firm behaviour, let alone from the claim that they are key success variables in explaining how well (in terms of profitability) firms perform. |
| Keywords: | Routines, Genes, Program-based behaviour, Proximate causes of individual and firm behaviour |
| JEL: | A12 B41 B52 D21 D23 |
| Date: | 2004–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:esi:evopap:2004-20&r=hpe |
| By: | Cervellati, Matteo (Universitat Pompeu Fabra and University of Bologna); Fortunato, Piergiuseppe (University of Bologna); Sunde, Uwe (IZA Bonn) |
| Abstract: | We analyze the endogenous evolution of economic and political institutions and the interdependencies with the process of economic development. Favorable economic institutions ensure the appropriability of rents in form of a state of law. We study the conditions under which a state of law can be implemented under oligarchy, and when democratization is necessary. Inequality in endowments and incomes prolongs the absence of good institutions and delays democratization. Conversely, institutions shape the income distribution. Simulations illustrate how inequality affects the development process and may lead to overtaking and divergence. The implications are in line with historical and empirical evidence. |
| Keywords: | inequality, democratization, institutions, state of law, long-term development |
| JEL: | H10 O20 N10 |
| Date: | 2005–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp1450&r=hpe |
| By: | Katarzyna Miakisz; Edward W. Piotrowski; Jan Sladkowski |
| Abstract: | On grounds of the discussed material, we reason about possible future development of quantum game theory and its impact on information processing and the emerging information society. The idea of quantum artificial intelligence is explained. |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sla:eakjkl:21&r=hpe |
| By: | DR. GODWIN CHUKWUDUM NWAOBI (QUANTITATIVE ECONOMIC RESEARCH BUREAU, NIGERIA) |
| Abstract: | SINCE 1930, EXPECTATIONS HAVE PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN ECONOMIC THEORY AND THIS IS BECAUSE ECONOMICS IS GENERALLY CONCERNED WITH THE IMPLICATIONS OF CURRENT ACTIONS FOR THE FUTURE. THIS PAPER THEREFORE ARGUES THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF RATIONAL EXPECTATIONS THEORY WILL MAKE A MORE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO ECONOMICS(AND IN PARTICULAR, MONETARY ECONOMICS) IN THE IMPETUS IT GIVES TO RESEARCH ON THE VITAL AREAS OF LEARNING AND PRICE EXPECTATIONS FORMATION |
| Keywords: | RATIONAL EXPECTATIONS, MONETARY THEORY, AUGUMENTED PHILLIPS CURVE, INFLATION, OUTPUT, PRICES |
| JEL: | E10 E50 N10 |
| Date: | 2005–01–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wpa:wuwpma:0501001&r=hpe |
| By: | Hans-Friedrich Eckey (Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics, University of Kassel); Reinhold Kosfeld (Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics, University of Kassel) |
| Abstract: | The standard model of New Economic Geography (NEG) presents a synthesis of polarization and neo-classical theories. Within a monopolistic competition framework it aims to explain processes of concentration and deconcentration of manufacturing in a two-sector economy. In this paper the effects of several assumptions of spatial agglomeration processes are addressed. In particular, we investigate the effects of transport costs for agricultural goods, spatial spillovers, the presence of non-tradable services and limited mobility of the labour force. It becomes clear that the tendency towards deconcentration of manufacturing is more marked - the higher the transport costs for agricultural goods, - the stronger the positive spillovers across the regions, - the more income spent on services, - the more limited the mobility of the labour force. |
| Keywords: | Neue Ökonomische Geographie, Transportkosten, nicht handelbare Dienstleistungen, Spillovers |
| JEL: | R10 R12 |
| Date: | 2004–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:kas:wpaper:65/04&r=hpe |
| By: | Lorenz Blume (Department of Economics, University of Kassel); Stefan Voigt (Department of Economics, University of Kassel and ICER, Torino) |
| Abstract: | Economists are often skeptical concerning the economic effects of various forms of human rights: it has been argued that basic human rights can make the legal system less efficient but also that extensive social rights are incompatible with market economies. It is argued here that basic human rights are a precondition for other kinds of rights such as property and civil rights and that they are thus efficiency-enhancing. Four different groups of rights are identified. It is asked what effects they have on welfare and growth. The transmission channels through which the different rights affect welfare and growth are identified by estimating their effects on investment in both physical and human capital and overall productivity. Basic human rights have indeed a positive effect on investment, but do not seem to contribute to productivity. Social or emancipatory rights, in turn, are not conducive to investment in physical capital but do contribute to productivity improvements. None of the four groups of rights ever has a significant negative effect on any of the economic variables here included. |
| JEL: | H41 H73 K10 O11 O57 P14 P51 |
| Date: | 2004–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:kas:wpaper:66/04&r=hpe |