Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Coevolution of economic behaviour and institutions: towards a theory of institutional change

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Evolutionary Economics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract.

Traditionally, economics has regarded institutions, notably norms and regulations, as fixed or exogenous. Surprisingly few insights on institutional evolution from natural and social sciences have made their way into economics. This article gives an overview of evolutionary theories of institutions in biology, sociology, anthropology and economics. These theories are subsequently compared with non-evolutionary theories of institutions. Next, the insights and approaches are integrated into a framework for analysis of institutions based on the notion of coevolution.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Economics and Business Administration and Institute for Environmental Studies, Free University, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Jeroen C. J. M. van den Bergh

  2. School of the Environment, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT, Leeds, UK

    Sigrid Stagl

Authors
  1. Jeroen C. J. M. van den Bergh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sigrid Stagl
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jeroen C. J. M. van den Bergh.

Additional information

JEL Classification:

B52, D10, D70, D64, Z13

J.C.J.M. van den Bergh

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bergh, J.C.J.M.v.d., Stagl, S. Coevolution of economic behaviour and institutions: towards a theory of institutional change. J. Evol. Econ. 13, 289–317 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00191-003-0158-8

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00191-003-0158-8

Keywords:

Search

Navigation