Social Dynamics (Economic Learning and Social Evolution)

By Steven N. Durlauf

Book Overview

Economists have traditionally studied aggregate behaviour as the outcome of individual decisions made interactively, while sociologists have focused on the role of social influences on individual behaviour. However, the barriers between the disciplines have broken down, resulting in the new area of social economics. Social economics is based on the assumption that individuals are directly influenced by the choices and characteristics of others, creating a feedback loop from the past choices of some people to the current social context and hence future choices of others. The essays in this book, by some of the creators of the field, provide an overview of social economics and represent a variety of approaches, including theoretical model-building, empirical studies, statistical analyses, and philosophical reflections.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0262041863
• ISBN13: 9780262041867
• Release Date: April 2001
• Publisher: MIT Press
• Length: 252 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.8" x 6.0"