Spontaneous order and social norms. Hayek’s theory of socio-cultural evolution

Hayek’s theory of socio-cultural evolution is a generalization of his theory on spontaneous market order. Hayek explains both the emergence of market and social institutions serving as a social basis for that order within the framework of a unified evolutionary logic. This logic interprets the emergence and survival of spontaneous order and group-level rules of conduct as an unintended consequence of human action. In order to explain the emergence of social norms exclusively on the basis of methodological individualism, one would have to give up an exclusively evolutionary explanation of these norms. Since Hayek applies the invisible-hand explanation to the investigation of social norms, he combines the position of methodological individualism with functionalist-evolutionary arguments in his analysis. Hayek’s theory of socio-cultural evolution represents a theory in the framework of which methodological individualism and functionalism do not crowd out but complement each other.

Spontaneous order and social norms. Hayek’s theory of socio-cultural evolution

Hayek's theory of socio-cultural evolution is a generalization of his theory on spontaneous market order. Hayek explains both the emergence of market and social institutions serving as a social basis for that order within the framework of a unified evolutionary logic. This logic interprets the emergence and survival of spontaneous order and group-level rules of conduct as an unintended consequence of human action. In order to explain the emergence of social norms exclusively on the basis of methodological individualism, one would have to give up an exclusively evolutionary explanation of these norms. Since Hayek applies the invisiblehand explanation to the investigation of social norms, he combines the position of methodological individualism with functionalist-evolutionary arguments in his analysis. Hayek's theory of socio-cultural evolution represents a theory in the framework of which methodological individualism and functionalism do not crowd out but complement each other.

Piaci rend és társadalmi normák. Hayek elmélete a társadalmi evolúcióról (Market order and social norms Hayek's theory of social evolution)

A hayeki szociokulturális evolúció elmélete a piaci rend elemzésének általánosítása. Hayek mind a piaci rend, mind a piaci rend alapzatául szolgáló társadalmi intézmények kialakulását és működését azonos logika alapján magyarázza. Ez a logika az egyéni cselekvések nem szándékolt következményeként értelmezi a spontán rend és a csoportszintű magatartásszabályok kialakulását és fennmaradását. A társadalmi normák magyarázatában a módszertani individualizmus elveinek érvényesítéséért az evolucionista perspektíva feladásával kellene fizetni. Hayek azonban a társadalmi normák magyarázatára is az evolucionista megközelítést alkalmazza, ezért egészíti ki a módszertani individualista megközelítést funkcionalista-evolucionista érvekkel. A szociokulturális evolúció hayeki elmélete példa arra, hogy a módszertani individualizmusra épülő magyarázat és a funkcionalista érvelés nem kiszorítja, hanem kiegészíti egymást. _____ Hayek's theory of socio-cultural evolution is a generalization of his theory of market order. He explains in the same way the development and operation of market order and those of the social institutions on which market order is based. This logic interprets the development and persistence of spontaneous order and group-level behaviour rules as an unintentional consequence of individual actions. In his explanation of social norms, enforcement of the principles of methodological individualism has to be paid for by abandoning the evolutionist perspective. But Hayek also employs an evolutionist approach in his explanation of social norms, and so he augments his methodological individualist approach with some functionalist-cum-evolutionist arguments. Hayek's theory of sociocultural evolution, for instance, exemplifies how an explanation resting on methodological individualism and a functionalist argument can complement, not preclude each other.

Heterodox gazdaságpolitikák korszaka? (An Age of Heterodox Economic Policies?)

A világ fejlett pénzügyi piacainak válságát követően önvizsgálatra kényszerült a közgazdaságtudomány, amelyet nemcsak az alternatív és heterodox irányzatok képviselői, a média és a nagyközönség, hanem a gazdasági döntéshozók részéről is erős kritikák értek. Egyidejűleg gyors változásokon ment át a gazdaságpolitikai gyakorlat, különösen a válság által erősen érintett országokban, megszaporodtak a korábbi mérvadó kormányzati gyakorlat (best practice) ajánlásaitól távol álló, nem szokványos megoldások, heterodox politikák. Az esszé szerzője meghatározó személyiségek véleményének, vezető intézmények álláspontjának és kormányzati gazdaságpolitikáknak az áttekintése alapján egyfelől azt a kérdést vizsgálja, hogy körvonalazódik-e új gazdaságelméleti irányzat, amely doktrinális alapul szolgálhatna a gazdaságpolitikai döntéshozatalhoz, másodsorban pedig: átmeneti jelenség-e az egymástól alapvetően különböző felfogású, logikájú gazdaságpolitikák egyidejű megléte, avagy várható-e egy új konszenzus kialakulása. ______ In the wake of the recent financial turmoil emanating from top financial centers, the economic profession has been forced to conduct introspection due to harsh criticism from alternative and heterodox economists, the media, and the general public as well as from decision makers. Meanwhile, the economic policy making practice has profoundly changed, particularly in countries heavily affected in the crisis; decision makers increasingly apply non customary (heterodox) measures in defiance of former best practice of economic policy making. The author of this essay, having investigated the related views of leading economists and influential international institutions and having reviewed economic policy making practice, raises two questions. One: is there a new economic theory evolving that will provide doctrinal underpinning to post crisis economic policy making? Second: is the simultaneity of widely differing economic policy practices and policy orientations a transitional phenomenon, or are there signs of a new policy consensus emerging? It may be too early to give argued answers to the questions, but the present – rather technical – economic theory mainstream seems to maintain its central position, yet is becomes more open to research topics and methods acknowledging the complexity of economic processes and social institutions, and to impulses emanating from economic practice. As for economic policy making is concerned, continuous decline of the economic importance of leading Western nations prolongs the period of heterogeneity of non conventional, heterodox policies both in advanced and in emerging countries until new policy norms, a “new normal” emerges.

Work-life Balance and Gender Regime After the Economic Transition

Work-life balance (WLB) is a key issue in our societies in which there is increasing pressure to be permanently available on demand and to work more intensively, and when due to technological change the borders between work and private life appear to be dissolving. However, the social, institutional and normative frames of a region have a huge impact on how people experience work and private life, where the borders between these spheres lie and how much control individuals have in managing these borders. Based on these arguments, this editorial to the special issue Work-life balance/imbalance: individual, organisational and social experiences in Intersections. EEJSP draws attention to the social institutions, frameworks and norms which have an effect on experience, practices and expectations about work-life balance. Concerning the time horizon, this editorial focuses on the change of regime as a reference point since socialist and post-socialist eras differ significantly, although there is still some continuity between them. The authors of this introduction offer an overview of the situation in CEE (Central and Eastern Europe) based mainly on examples of Visegrad countries.

The Attributes of Social Media as a Strategic Marketing Communication Tool

New digital trends are transforming the media industry landscape, modifying elemental characteristics and attitudes of companies as well as of consumers. Firms often claim that their presence in social media (SM) is a key element to success. SM helps companies rethink the traditional one-way flow of their marketing messages and to incorporate a new interactive pattern into their communications. Nevertheless, these tendencies involve problems of strategic myopia for firms that do not structurally integrate these tools. One main problem is that institutions can rarely differentiate between the various types of SM and the attributes thereof, while the literature equally reveals a number of contradictions in the subject. The present conceptual paper lays the foundations of a strategic approach to SM and discusses its theoretical implications. Following an overview on the concept of SM, through a content analysis of the specialized management literature (n = 14), we present various best practices and reflect on the apparent lack of strategic thinking in using SM as a marketing application. Then, we compare these practical examples with general marketing strategy theory. By merging theory and practice, we aim to provide an insight towards a well-founded application of SM as a genuinely strategic marketing tool.