Beyond The Market: The Social Foundations Of Economic Efficiency
by Jens Beckert /
2002 / English / EPUB
2.9 MB Download
Beyond the Market
Beyond the Market launches a sociological investigation
into economic efficiency. Prevailing economic theory, which
explains efficiency using formalized rational choice models,
often simplifies human behavior to the point of distortion. Jens
Beckert finds such theory to be particularly weak in explaining
such crucial forms of economic behavior as cooperation,
innovation, and action under conditions of uncertainty--phenomena
he identifies as the proper starting point for a sociology of
economic action.
launches a sociological investigation
into economic efficiency. Prevailing economic theory, which
explains efficiency using formalized rational choice models,
often simplifies human behavior to the point of distortion. Jens
Beckert finds such theory to be particularly weak in explaining
such crucial forms of economic behavior as cooperation,
innovation, and action under conditions of uncertainty--phenomena
he identifies as the proper starting point for a sociology of
economic action.
Beckert levels an enlightened critique at neoclassical economics,
arguing that understanding efficiency requires looking well
beyond the market to the social, cultural, political, and
cognitive factors that influence the coordination of economic
action. Beckert searches social theory for the components of an
alternative theory of action, one that accounts for the social
embedding of economic behavior. In Durkheim and Parsons he finds
especially useful approaches to cooperation; in Luhmann, a way to
understand how people act under highly contingent conditions; and
in Giddens, an understanding of creative action and innovation.
Together, these provide building blocks for a research program
that will yield a theoretically sophisticated understanding of
how economic processes are coordinated and the ways that markets
are embedded in social, cultural, and cognitive structures.
Beckert levels an enlightened critique at neoclassical economics,
arguing that understanding efficiency requires looking well
beyond the market to the social, cultural, political, and
cognitive factors that influence the coordination of economic
action. Beckert searches social theory for the components of an
alternative theory of action, one that accounts for the social
embedding of economic behavior. In Durkheim and Parsons he finds
especially useful approaches to cooperation; in Luhmann, a way to
understand how people act under highly contingent conditions; and
in Giddens, an understanding of creative action and innovation.
Together, these provide building blocks for a research program
that will yield a theoretically sophisticated understanding of
how economic processes are coordinated and the ways that markets
are embedded in social, cultural, and cognitive structures.
Containing one of the most fully informed critiques of the
neoclassical analysis of economic efficiency--as well as one of
the most thoughtful blueprints for economic sociology--this book
reclaims for sociology the study of one of the most important
arenas of human action.
Containing one of the most fully informed critiques of the
neoclassical analysis of economic efficiency--as well as one of
the most thoughtful blueprints for economic sociology--this book
reclaims for sociology the study of one of the most important
arenas of human action.