A survey of evolutionary policy: normative and positive dimensions
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A survey of evolutionary policy: normative and positive dimensions Jeroen C. J. M. van den Bergh · Giorgos Kallis
© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013
Abstract We explore public policy from the perspective of evolutionary analysis. Potential entry points for developing a normative evolutionary policy theory are examined, which involves a critical examination of the related idea of “evolutionary progress”. The meaning of evolutionary policy is next studied from two different, normative and positive angles: namely, policy design informed by evolutionary thinking; and policy-making and politics as an evolutionary process. Several examples are provided to discuss the value of evolutionary thinking for policy, including in the context of the current economic crisis. Next, evolutionary policy is compared with policy advice coming from two dominant schools of policy analysis, namely neoclassical
J. C. J. M. van den Bergh · G. Kallis ICREA, Barcelona, Spain J. C. J. M. van den Bergh (B) · G. Kallis Institute for Environmental Science and Technology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici Cn—Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola), Spain e-mail: [email protected] G. Kallis e-mail: [email protected] J. C. J. M. van den Bergh Department of Economics and Economic History, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici Cn—Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola), Spain J. C. J. M. van den Bergh Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands J. C. J. M. van den Bergh Institute for Environmental Studies, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands J. C. J. M. van den Bergh NAKE and Tinbergen Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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J. C. J. M. van den Bergh, G. Kallis
economics and public choice theory. We conclude that evolutionary thinking offers a distinct and useful perspective on public policy change and design. Nevertheless, there is a need for more synthesis and coherence among different studies as well as for policy experiments and in-depth empirical studies. Keywords Coevolution · Escaping lock-in · Evolutionary politics · Evolutionary progress · Normative versus positive policy theories · Optimal diversity
1 Introduction This article argues that a new set of evolutionary theories and models in the social sciences can offer refreshing perspectives on public policy. Evolution refers to any process of system change that involves the selective retention of renewable diversity (Campbell 1969). Evolutionary approaches emphasize populations of heterogeneous agents, selection of diversity, innovation and novelty, path-dependency and multiple equilibria, thus offering a vocabulary suitable to engage with complex dynamics and topical issues like managing technological change, guiding globalization and cultural diversity, adapting to climate change and stimulating energy system transitions. Evolutionary economics has generated many insights in the last decades. However, there is a lack of contributions trying to synthesise policy from an evolutionary perspec
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