Institutions in Economics: The Old and the New Institutionalism

Description

This book examines and compares the two major traditions of thought that have attempted to incorporate institutions within economics. These are the "Old" (or American) Institutionalist tradition of Veblen, Mitchell, Commons and Ayres, and the "New" Institutionalism that has developed more recently from neoclassical and Austrian sources. The discussion is organized around a set of key problems involving the use of formal or nonformal analytical methods, individualist or holistic approaches, the respective roles of rational choice and rule following behavior, the relative importance of spontaneous evolution and deliberative design of institutions, and questions relating to the normative appraisal of institutions.

'This is clearly a book which anyone seriously interested in economic institutions should read. It is well organized, clearly written, and short. For these reasons, it would be suitable for courses with an institutional, organizational, or methodological focus in any of the social sciences. Readers interested in the new institutional economics, even if they have no acquaintance with 'old' institutionalism, are particularly likely to benefit from Rutherford's systematic and well-informed exposition.' Canadian Journal of Economics