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Evolution, complex systems and technological change 1

1990; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 2; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/09538259000000002

1465-3982

Norman Clark,

Complex Systems and Decision Making

Abstract A particularly weak area of mainstream economics is its theoretical capacity to handle structural economic change. And yet the advent of major new technologies, combined with the growing integration of the international economic system, has placed structural change high on the policy agenda. This paper suggests an alternative theoretical approach. By portraying economic systems as complex open systems it is possible to view their long-term evolution in a more realistic way. However, in order to do this it is also necessary to borrow from other disciplines such as biology, physics and computer science where research of a similar genre has been carried out. The paper explores what this means for our understanding of many of the underlying concepts associated with technological change and ends with a programmatic plea to broaden the disciplinary bounds of economics. 1The author is grateful to Andrew Barnett, Geoff Hodgson, Roy Turner and two anonymous referees for helpful comments on an earlier draft of this paper. 1The author is grateful to Andrew Barnett, Geoff Hodgson, Roy Turner and two anonymous referees for helpful comments on an earlier draft of this paper. Notes 1The author is grateful to Andrew Barnett, Geoff Hodgson, Roy Turner and two anonymous referees for helpful comments on an earlier draft of this paper.