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Analyzing Path Dependence: Lessons from the Social Sciences

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Understanding Change

Abstract

The study of path dependence has become a central research area in the disciplines of sociology and political science. These disciplines build on many insights initially formulated by economists. At the same time, however, soci ologists and political scientists offer their own distinctive contributions, some of which challenge the core assumptions of economics. In addition, they apply ideas of path dependence to the study of political and social outcomes that are not usually addressed in field of economics.

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© 2006 James Mahoney

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Mahoney, J. (2006). Analyzing Path Dependence: Lessons from the Social Sciences. In: Wimmer, A., Kössler, R. (eds) Understanding Change. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230524644_9

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