Abstract

CASTANEDA, Gonzalo. Cultura, acción colectiva y cambio institucional. Econ: teor. práct [online]. 2009, n.spe2, pp.95-127. ISSN 2448-7481.

This paper presents a socioeconomic theory that analyzes the propagation of cultural variants that induces the cohesiveness of civil society and, thus, improves society's capacity to solve collective action problems. The model combines tools of evolutionary game theory with a solution concept for strategic behavior where rationally bounded decisions are made sequential. With this framework, it is possible to explain the co-evolution of contemporary cultural values with economic/political variables, as well as the importance of the historical legacy in establishing the country's development path. Likewise, it is argued that economic theorizing requires cultural arguments for a better understanding of institutional inertias, lock-ins, and poverty traps.

Keywords : Collective action; institutional reform; culture; economic growth and poverty traps.