The insight that both ontological and epistemological perspectives are intertwined is certainly correct, but at the same time insufficient to differentiate mainstream from heterodox approaches to economic institutions. As this paper argues, it is important whether one starts from ontological or epistemological considerations first. The paper suggests that the difference can be described in terms of function versus rules and demonstrates that an intersubjective ontology for institutions requires also an intersubjective epistemology. Otherwise, ontological precepts contradict the epistemological ones with important repercussions for understanding knowledge, rationality and institutions. >suite
The source of economic development and growth is specialization in the context of comparative advantage. Growth in capital and other inputs, energy use, and technological change are insufficient to explain the magnitude of growth. Earlier critics of economic growth failed to connect growth to specialization, and so were distracted by nostalgia and sentiment. The specialization process itself produces three significant problems. First, as economies become more specialized, they become less flexible. Second, diversity tends to make ecological systems more robust, while specialization weakens them. Third, specialization produces social isolation. Solutions to these problems may be found in participatory, indicative planning. >suite
Nous avons été éduqués dans l’idée que l’Etat était un instrument. Celui de la société qui sans lui sombrerait dans l’anarchie et la violence perpétuelles, ou celui l’instrument de la bourgeoisie qui a besoin de lui pour assurer sa domination sur le reste de la société. Aucune de ces théories ne répond à la (...) >suite
L’Etat est-il à bout de souffle ? Faut-il réduire son emprise sur l’économie, qu’il étouffe sous les impôts et les réglementations ? On ose à peine poser ces questions, tant le trop-plein étatique est devenu une évidence presque triviale, surtout en ces temps de crise où la puissance publique est de nouveau appelée à la rescousse, alors qu’elle est la principale responsable de l’explosion bancaire. >suite