Epistemic Institutionalism: Rules and Order, Complexity, and Liberalism

Abstract

This paper offers an immanent critique of Peter Boettke's recent book, 'F.A. Hayek: : Economics, Political Economy and Social Philosophy'. That is to say, it takes some of the goals Boettke sets out to achieve and suggests how they might have been pursued more effectively. Issues addressed include the nature of epistemic institutionalism, the relationship between rules and social order, the significance of Hayek's work on complexity, and the importance of debates over the nature of liberalism.

Keywords: Hayek, institutions, knowledge, complexity, liberalism, rules, order

JEL Classification: B1, B2, B25, B31, B41, B53