Useful Knowledge as an Evolving System: The View from Economic History

Abstract

This chapter develops an evolutionary approach to the process of technological innovation. It shows how a theory of knowledge evolution can be executed in a manner analogous to the Darwinian models of evolution in living systems. The chapter warns that while much can be learned from this analogy, there are important differences.

Good Governance and Public Trust: Assessing the Mediating Effect of E-Government in Pakistan

“…Why society selects some techniques and rejects others is an important question needing discussion (Mokyr, 2005). In addition, techniques need to be passed from generation to generation because of wear and tear on their carriers.…”

“…Economic historians refer to the phenomenon as the Industrial Revolution, which they locate in key industries such as cotton and iron in certain regions of Britain. Yet as I have argued elsewhere (Mokyr, 2002), the so-called Industrial Revolution relates to deeper changes that were taking place across much of the Western world. In any event, this moment of change marks the beginning of modern economic growth, the kind of continuing expansion that can be sustained decade after decade without hitting the blocks and ceilings that previous societies had run into.…”

In defence of generalized Darwinism

“…Other Darwinian theorists consider individuals or groups as interactors, and ideas as social or cultural replicators (Hull 1988;Mokyr 2006). These debates remain important among proponents of a generalized Darwinism.…”