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Schumpeter and Georgescu-Roegen on the Foundations of an Evolutionary Analysis

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  • Christoph Heinzel

Abstract

Qualitative change is widely recognized as a defining feature of evolution. Schumpeter and Georgescu-Roegen put it at the center of their methodological reasoning. I revisit important contributions of these two authors, paying attention to the immediate relationship of the major traits and treated issues between their works. With reference to qualitative change, their joint approach provides answers as to (i) why an evolutionary analysis has to necessarily apply a varied less formal set of methods as compared to modern static and dynamic analysis, (ii) why an evolutionary analysis is a necessary component of economic analysis, and (iii) how it can be seen as complementary to modern statics and dynamics. They argued for methodogical pluralism, where the choice of methods shall derive from close observation of the subject matter under scrutiny. Georgescu-Roegen's reasoning shows the necessity of interdisciplinary contributions and the interrelation of economic activity and environmental impact and constraints, putting environmental issues immediately on the evolutionary economics agenda. The paper provides a new ground for evaluating Georgescu-Roegen's own and their joint contribution to modern research.

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  • Christoph Heinzel, 2012. "Schumpeter and Georgescu-Roegen on the Foundations of an Evolutionary Analysis," Working Papers SMART 12-08, INRAE UMR SMART.
    • Handle: RePEc:rae:wpaper:201208
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    Cited by:

    1. Quentin Couix, 2018. "From Methodology to Practice (and Back): Georgescu-Roegen's Philosophy of Economics and the Flow-Fund Model," Documents de travail du Centre d'Economie de la Sorbonne 18021, Université Panthéon-Sorbonne (Paris 1), Centre d'Economie de la Sorbonne.
    2. Constantin Mitrut & Cristina Balaceanu & Mihaela Gruiescu & Daniela Serban, 2015. "The Macroeconomic Framework of Support Analysis for Sustainable Businesses Development," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 17(40), pages 1068-1068, August.
    3. Sylvie Ferrari & Alain Alcouffe, 2008. "Growth versus development from Schumpeter to Georgescu-Roegen," Post-Print hal-00383186, HAL.
    4. Menegat, Stefano, 2024. "Energy, urbanization, and complexity: Towards a multi-scale ecological economic theory of innovation," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Schumpeter; Georgescu-Roegen; qualitative change; evolution; evolutionary methodology;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B25 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought since 1925 - - - Historical; Institutional; Evolutionary; Austrian; Stockholm School
    • B31 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought: Individuals - - - Individuals
    • B41 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Economic Methodology - - - Economic Methodology
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General

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