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Transitions to Open Access Orders and Polycentricity: Exploring the Interface between Austrian Theory and Institutionalism

In: New Thinking in Austrian Political Economy

Author

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  • Ion Sterpan
  • Paul Dragos Aligica

Abstract

This paper explores the interface between institutional theory and Austrian theory. We examine mainstream institutionalism as exemplified by D. C. North in his work with Wallis and Weingast on the elite compact theory of social order and of transitions to impersonal rights, and propose instead an Austrian process-oriented perspective. We argue that mainstream institutionalism does not fully account for the efficiency of impersonal rules. Their efficiency can be better explained by a market for rules, which in turn requires a stable plurality of governance providers. Since an equilibrium of plural providers requires stable power polycentricity, the implication goes against consolidating organized means for violence as a doorstep condition to successful transitions. The paper demonstrates how to employ Ostroms’ Bloomington School Institutionalism to shift, convert, and recalibrate mainstream institutionalism's themes into an Austrian process-oriented theory.

Suggested Citation

  • Ion Sterpan & Paul Dragos Aligica, 2015. "Transitions to Open Access Orders and Polycentricity: Exploring the Interface between Austrian Theory and Institutionalism," Advances in Austrian Economics, in: New Thinking in Austrian Political Economy, volume 19, pages 145-166, Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:aaeczz:s1529-213420150000019008
    DOI: 10.1108/S1529-213420150000019008
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Avner Greif, 2006. "History Lessons: The Birth of Impersonal Exchange: The Community Responsibility System and Impartial Justice," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 20(2), pages 221-236, Spring.
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    9. Boettke, Peter J. & Coyne, Christopher J., 2005. "Methodological individualism, spontaneous order and the research program of the Workshop in Political Theory and Policy Analysis," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 57(2), pages 145-158, June.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Institutionalism; market process; polycentricity; open access orders; impersonal exchange; B52; B53; D72; D74;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B52 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches - - - Historical; Institutional; Evolutionary; Modern Monetary Theory;
    • B53 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches - - - Austrian
    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions

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