Pathway to Change (Paperback)

Naci Mocan

ISBN 10: 0262053047 / ISBN 13: 9780262053044

Published by MIT Press Ltd, 2026

About this Item

Paperback. A fascinating deep dive into the dynamic interplay between culture, economics, institutions, and human prosperity.A fascinating deep dive into the dynamic interplay between culture, economics, institutions, and human prosperity.In Pathway to Change, Naci Mocan investigates the economic origins of current cultural beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors, highlighting the lasting impact of historical agricultural practices and ecological conditions. He shows that cultural traits evolve in response to external shocks-such as exposure to violence, changes in institutional quality, and the laws and law enforcement-and argues that culture and institutions influence each other- culture shapes the functioning of institutions, while institutions also mold cultural norms. As a result, the success of institutional reforms depends heavily on the cultural context in which they are implemented.Drawing on research from various fields-including economics, evolutionary biology, psychology, linguistics, neuroscience, philosophy, anthropology, and political science-the author describes how cultural attributes such as trust, honesty, patience, preference for leisure, morality, individualism, and proclivity for violence shape economic outcomes and individual well-being. The book presents evidence on both intergenerational transmission of culture and horizontal transmission within the members of the same generation. It also describes how culture can be shaped and transformed, emphasizing the roles of media, education, laws and law enforcement, and role models. Finally, the book recommends that undesirable cultural attributes that are detrimental to our well-being, determined by scientific criteria, should be modified, and offers policy tools that can be deployed for cultural change. "An analysis of the connection between cultural beliefs, institutions and economic behavior, how cultural beliefs persist and the conditions under which they can change"-- Provided by publisher. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780262053044

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Pathway to Change (Paperback)
• Publisher: MIT Press Ltd
• Publication Date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0262053047
• ISBN 13: 9780262053044
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

A fascinating deep dive into the dynamic interplay between culture, economics, institutions, and human prosperity.

In Pathway to Change, Naci Mocan investigates the economic origins of current cultural beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors, highlighting the lasting impact of historical agricultural practices and ecological conditions. He shows that cultural traits evolve in response to external shocks—such as exposure to violence, changes in institutional quality, and the laws and law enforcement—and argues that culture and institutions influence each other: culture shapes the functioning of institutions, while institutions also mold cultural norms. As a result, the success of institutional reforms depends heavily on the cultural context in which they are implemented.

Drawing on research from various fields—including economics, evolutionary biology, psychology, linguistics, neuroscience, philosophy, anthropology, and political science—the author describes how cultural attributes such as trust, honesty, patience, preference for leisure, morality, individualism, and proclivity for violence shape economic outcomes and individual well-being. The book presents evidence on both intergenerational transmission of culture and horizontal transmission within the members of the same generation. It also describes how culture can be shaped and transformed, emphasizing the roles of media, education, laws and law enforcement, and role models. Finally, the book recommends that undesirable cultural attributes that are detrimental to our well-being, determined by scientific criteria, should be modified, and offers policy tools that can be deployed for cultural change.

About the Author

Naci Mocan is the Ourso Distinguished Chair of Economics at Louisiana State University and a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. He has provided consulting to public and private institutions, including the U.S. Department of Justice, and has served on the Louisiana Advisory Committee of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.