Culture and institutions: a review of Joel Mokyr's A Culture of Growth. Issue 1 (28th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hodgson, Geoffrey M.
• Editors: Andriani, Luca; Luca Bruno, Randolph
• Is Part Of: Journal of institutional economics. Volume 18:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 159
• Page End: 168
• Publication Date: 2022-02-28
• Subjects: Culture -- economic development -- generalized Darwinism -- ideas -- Joel Mokyr -- technology; B52 -- N10 -- O14 -- O30; Institutional economics -- Periodicals; 330.1552
• DOI: 10.1017/S1744137421000588
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-1374

Abstract

Abstract: This is a review of Joel Mokyr's fascinating book entitled A Culture of Growth. The work is summarized, noting its focus on Darwin-style evolutionary explanations of cultural change. But Mokyr's emphasis on cultural entrepreneurs and positive feedbacks in the procreation of ideas is insufficient to explain the origins of modern economic growth. Too much explanatory weight is placed on too few extraordinary people. It is argued that Mokyr's analysis should be extended, to bring the evolution of institutions, as well as the evolution of culture, into the picture at an additional level. The role of inter-state rivalry and exogenous shocks has also to be underlined. This kind of analysis can be developed within the framework of generalized Darwinism, which Mokyr himself adopts. This is a major and highly stimulating book.