A Case for Economemetics? Why Evolutionary Economists Should Re-evaluate the (F)utility of Memetics

The paper presented in this chapter contributes to evolutionary approaches in economics and related disciplines by discussing the potential of a memetic perspective. The central aim of this endeavor is to reveal and establish connections between various rather fragmented lines of research. The point of departure is the observation that both imitation and cultural evolution have not received sufficient attention from evolutionary economists. Building on a review of criticisms and definitions of both memes and cognate entities in evolutionary economics, an “informationalist” perspective is proposed that is also in line with the notion of complex population systems. Moreover, by shedding light on similarities and implications of both memetics and the rule-based approach to evolutionary economics, we are able to create links to imitation heuristics and evolutionary institutionalism. In summary, the chapter lays out four propositions that can be used as starting points for further work at the frontiers of memetics and evolutionary social science.