Superstition and Self-Governance
New Thinking in Austrian Political Economy
ISBN: 978-1-78560-137-8, eISBN: 978-1-78560-136-1
Publication date: 3 August 2015
Abstract
This paper investigates the relationship between superstition and self-governance. We argue that at least some superstitions, and perhaps many, support self-governing arrangements. The relationship between such scientifically false beliefs and private institutions is symbiotic and socially productive. This simple but overlooked observation may help explain the emergence and otherwise puzzling persistence of both superstitions and “spontaneous” orders that seem perverse or dysfunctional, as well as why these two phenomena are often found together.
Keywords
Citation
Leeson, P.T. and Suarez, P.A. (2015), "Superstition and Self-Governance", New Thinking in Austrian Political Economy (Advances in Austrian Economics, Vol. 19), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 47-66. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1529-213420150000019003
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015 Emerald Group Publishing Limited