Economic performance and culture in the view of economists : Critical observations from an action-theoretical perspective

Title data

Cappai, Gabriele:
Economic performance and culture in the view of economists : Critical observations from an action-theoretical perspective.
Bayreuth , 2021 . - 20 p.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15495/EPub_UBT_00005365

Official URL:

Abstract in another language

In neoclassicist explanations of economic performance actors are usually conceived as utility-maximizers, who make the "best" use of given resources. Constraints are seen as originating mainly through the market or the legal situation. Neo-Institution-Economy (NIE) contrasts this view with the assumption that not only formal but also informal rules in terms of beliefs, values und norms must be an integral part of the model of the actor's behavior. This is the way in which culture enters the scene. One main argument developed in this essay is that important insights of the NIE-representatives are in danger of being compromised. This occurs where the reference to culture degenerates into "culturalism". This essay envisages a possibility of escaping both the culture-blindness of the neoclassic economy as well as the culturalism of the NIE-exponents in a "balanced" conception of action.

Further data

Item Type:	Working paper, discussion paper
Keywords:	Neoclassic Economy; Neo-Institutional-Economics; culture; culturalism; balanced conception of action
Institutions of the University:	Faculties > Faculty of Cultural Studies Faculties > Faculty of Cultural Studies > Chair Sociology of Culture and Religion > Chair Sociology of Culture and Religion - Univ.-Prof. Dr. Bernt Schnettler Faculties Faculties > Faculty of Cultural Studies > Chair Sociology of Culture and Religion
Result of work at the UBT:	Yes
DDC Subjects:	300 Social sciences > 300 Social sciences, sociology and anthropology 300 Social sciences > 330 Economics
Date Deposited:	03 Apr 2021 21:00
Last Modified:	06 Apr 2021 08:21
URI:	https://eref.uni-bayreuth.de/id/eprint/64594