Title: Ideology and the evolution of vital institutions: a synopsis

Authors: Earl A. Thompson

Addresses: UCLA, USA

Abstract: Charlie Hickson and I have recently completed a book with the same main title as this paper. Dedicated readers who get past the abstract social-theory, evolutionary-game-theory, and early history in the introductory chapters are typically enthusiastic about the book|s unique line of argument. But readers who quit before completing this material are frequently nonplused. Perhaps we should have started with a contemporary issue, backed into the earlier history, and introduced the general theory only after developing the empirical-historical argument that suggests it. The following is a reader|s guide for such a reverse-order reading and a heuristic synopsis of the book.

Keywords: ideology; evolution; vital institutions; income distribution; wealth distribution; new economy; globalisation; resource allocation; institutional innovation.

DOI: 10.1504/GBER.2002.006179

Global Business and Economics Review, 2002 Vol.4 No.1, pp.24 - 52

Published online: 07 Feb 2005 *

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