This thought-provoking volume presents essays on the foundations of non-equilibrium economics, i.e. the principle of circular cumulative causation (CCC). This work presents empirical research on how the interplay of technology's increasing returns to scale, institutions, resources, and economic policy leads to virtuous circles of economic growth and development, but also to vicious circles of social and ecological degradation. In particular, evidence is provided for the important role of the "development state" and strategic trade policy, economies of large-scale production in manufacturing, the regional level of development and community-based resource management regimes. While demonstrating CCC's strength in generating empirical research, the book also provides insights into its philosophical foundations and intellectual history. Several essays trace the roots of this full-fledged theoretical framework back to Adam Smith, Classical Political Economy, Thorstein Veblen, Gunnar Myrdal, K. William Kapp and Nicholas Kaldor.

As the most comprehensive collection of the growing body of CCC research to date, this book also reflects the emergence of an economic paradigm for understanding economic dynamics and for crafting viable development strategies for the 21st century. The volume will be of great interest to scholars of growth and development economics, institutional and evolutionary economics, political economy, and Post Keynesian economics from undergraduate to postgraduate research levels.

About the Author

Sebastian Berger is an assistant professor at Roanoke College and was awarded the 2008 Helen Potter Award for the best paper in the Review of Social Economy.

Reviews

'The theory of circular cumulative causation (CCC) is imbued with a long and distinguished intellectual legacy in the history of economic thought. Its intellectual roots can be traced back to Adam Smith, Veblen, Myrdal and Kaldor. CCC represents a rigorous alternative paradigm in the study of the dynamics of growth and technological change. Quite contrary to prevailing neoclassical theories based upon mechanistic notions of equilibrium, CCC offers a powerful critique and develops a sophisticated theory of non-equilibrium dynamics. At present, the research in this exciting new school is still in its infancy and comprises an eclectic mixture of diverse approaches and methodologies. This volume represents an important contribution to this growing literature and should become an invaluable source to academics and practitioners alike.' - Bill Lucarelli, University of Western Sydney, Australia

'Set out to bring different traditions of [circular cumulative causation] CCC theorists together and to revitalize the nonequilibrium approach to economic research and teaching, The Foundations of Non-Equilibrium Economics has at least succeeded in providing the scientific community with a comprehensive review of the state of the art of using CCC as a very powerful tool of economic analysis.' - Torsten Heinrich, Heterodox Economics Newsletter

'This edited collection of articles explores the theoretical basis and links of CCC within the traditions of institutional and post-Keynesian economics.' - Journal of Australian Political Economy

'...these ideas of circular and cumulative causation can create a platform to bring together the whole range of heterodox economic approaches, creating enough common ground on how the economy - and indeed society - actually functions, so that these various schools of thought can engage in dialgoue and joint research.' - Jonathan Michie, International Review of Applied Economics

Book Information
ISBN 9781138802919
Author Sebastian Berger
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 317g