Culture and institutions: a review of Joel Mokyr'sA Culture of Growth

Geoffrey M Hodgson

doi:10.1017/s1744137421000588

Abstract

AbstractThis is a review of Joel Mokyr's fascinating book entitledA Culture of Growth.The work is summarized, noting its focus on Darwin-style evolutionary explanations of cultural change. But Mokyr's emphasis on cultural entrepreneurs and positive feedbacks in the procreation of ideas is insufficient to explain the origins of modern economic growth. Too much explanatory weight is placed on too few extraordinary people. It is argued that Mokyr's analysis should be extended, to bring the evolution of institutions, as well as the evolution of culture, into the picture at an additional level. The role of inter-state rivalry and exogenous shocks has also to be underlined. This kind of analysis can be developed within the framework of generalized Darwinism, which Mokyr himself adopts. This is a major and highly stimulating book.

Highlights

For more than 30 years, Mokyr’s (1990a, 1990b, 2002, 2009, 2016) work has cast much light on the explosion of technological innovation and economic growth that began in Britain in the late 18th century and spread around the world, bringing large increases in wealth and average life expectancy
Like the complementary work of Deirdre McCloskey (2010, 2016b), central to Mokyr’s argument is the role of ideas and culture in driving change. Both authors argued that the crucial change was the emergence of a culture of progress based on the idea that mankind can improve its condition through science and rational thought
The book develops an important conceptual framework. It is filled with a mass of fascinating detail

Summary

On cultural and institutional evolution

Much of Mokyr’s argument is forceful and persuasive. The book is a treasure chest of information and insights. Access to emerging Atlantic trade routes enhanced this process of positive feedback between commerce and countervailing power (Acemoglu et al, 2005a, 2005b; Acemoglu and Robinson, 2012; Braudel, 1984; Cipolla, 1965) To be effective, these changed institutions had to bestow a degree of political stability within a complex system with divergent interests (Ertman, 1997; Moore, 1966; Tilly, 1992). These changed institutions had to bestow a degree of political stability within a complex system with divergent interests (Ertman, 1997; Moore, 1966; Tilly, 1992) Where they emerged, countervailing power within pluralist constellations of institutions created spaces for the intelligentsia, the Enlightenment and the advancement of science (Mokyr, 2002, 2016).

Selection and replication on multiple evolutionary levels

Conclusion