Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Rutherford, M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Copyright © Cambridge Political Economy Society

research-article

Veblen's evolutionary programme: a promise unfulfilled

Malcolm Rutherford*

*University of Victoria British Columbia

Abstract

This article examines in detail the way in which Veblen attempted to give theoretical expression to the programme for an evolutionary economics that he outlined in methodological terms in his 1898 essay ‘Why is Economics Not an Evolutionary Science?’ Veblen's conception of ‘Darwinian’ methodological principles led him to attempt to develop a theory of institutional evolution that was purely ‘causal’ in nature. This theory was never satisfactorily developed by Veblen. At base, his theory was one of new technology changing economic conditions, and new economic conditions leading to new ways of thinking and to new institutions through a (non-intentional) process of ‘habituation’. Those who attempted to follow Veblen, such as Hoxie and Mitchell, found difficulties with the key aspects of this theory, and both men came to abandon it. Institutionalism in the interwar period is devoid of attempts to develop Veblen's theory, and Veblen's programme remained a promise unfulfilled.

Manuscript received December 2, 1996; final version received July 31, 1996.


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Cambridge J EconHome page
M. A. Starr
Lifestyle conformity and lifecycle saving: a Veblenian perspective
Camb. J. Econ., July 14, 2008; (2008) ben020v1.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Disclaimer:
Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.