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Language orders

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  • Richard Adelstein

Abstract

This essay examines the alternatives of spontaneous order and central planning in the context of human language to cast new light both on the issues raised in the Socialist Calculation debate of the 1930s and 40s and on the nature of language itself. The evolution of the complex systems of rules that comprise natural languages is discussed, and the process of language acquisition in children is used to illustrate the problems involved in characterizing any spontaneous order as a social contract or convention. Natural language orders are distinguished from explicit contracts through the concept of a “language trap,” in which an individual who voluntarily begins to participate in the order is gradually transformed by this participation and eventually becomes unable to leave it. A concluding section considers the implications of this trap and the pursuit of self-interest through language for attempts to construct and win adherents to artificial languages, and suggests the nature of the obstacles that confront any attempt to overcome or redirect the deeply rooted behaviors associated with spontaneous orders through the imposition of a central plan. Copyright Kluwer Academic Publishers 1996

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Adelstein, 1996. "Language orders," Constitutional Political Economy, Springer, vol. 7(3), pages 221-238, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:copoec:v:7:y:1996:i:3:p:221-238
    DOI: 10.1007/BF00128163
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Geoffrey M. Hodgson & Warren J. Samuels & Marc R. Tool (ed.), 1994. "The Elgar Companion to Institutional and Evolutionary Economics," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, volume 0, number 228.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    A12; B41; P40; P51;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A12 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Other Disciplines
    • B41 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Economic Methodology - - - Economic Methodology
    • P40 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - General
    • P51 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Comparative Economic Systems - - - Comparative Analysis of Economic Systems

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