Taking Evolution Seriously: Historical Institutionalism and Evolutionary Theory

Abstract

Social science in general and political science in particular have been resistant to the mobilization of evolutionary and specifically Darwinian ideas for analytic and explanatory purposes. This paper documents a disconnect between political scientists and standard evolutionary theory. Historical institutionalism is identified as a subfield particularly well-suited, but presently ill-equipped, to benefit from evolutionary thinking. Key concepts in evolutionary theory are then used to interpret work by prominent historical institutionalists, illustrate the under-theorized state of historical institutionalism, and suggest the potential of evolutionary theory to greatly enhance the depth, range, and power of that approach. Illustrations are drawn from studies by a range of researchers, including Gellner, Thelen, Ertman, Gottshalk, Anthony Marx, and Katznelson.

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