| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
MAILATH George University of pennsylvania, Department of Economics, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, 経済学部, 準教授
POSTLEWAITE Andrew University of pennsylvania, Department of Economics, PROFESSOR, 経済学部, 教授
KANEKO Mamoru University of Tsukuba, Institute of Socio-Economic Planning, PROFESSOR, 社会工学系, 教授 (40114061)
KANDORI Michihiro Division of Economics Graduate School, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, 大学院・経済学研究科, 助教授 (10242132)
MATSUI Akihiko University of Tsukuba, Institute of Socio-Economic Planning, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, 社会工学系, 助教授 (30272165)
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| Research Abstract |
In these three years, there have been developments in various directions. Although it is impossible that we summarize our accomplishment in this space, let us raise one point which we think is important. By examining the issues on social norms, we are now able to consider free competition, which is the central paradigm in neoclassical economics, as one of many possible norms ; rather than the only norm. Economics cannot exist without relating itself to the economy it is developed. It became clear that the concept of free competition is regarded as the ideal form of market economy because the neoclassical economists set the US economy, which is based on natural selection, at the core of the theory. The understanding of society will be greatly depened by recognizing this point.
In relation to the above point, the best accomplishment of our project is that our group greatly contributed to the recognition and the establishment of the new field. This fact is clearly reflected in the list of our publications. It is not an exaggeration to claim that we succeeded in uniting social norms and evolution, the former being recognized as a field of sociology, and the latter a field of biology in early 90's, under the flag of game theory, and chedding new light on them. In fact, Kandori and Matsui, among others, give invited lectures on these issues in conferences abroad. At the same time, Binmore, Mailath, Morris, Postlewaite and Schmeidler of our group push a further development of this field through invited lectures and introductory articles in professional journals. At the conference held in May 1997 to finalize our three year project, active discussions were made among our members as well as other participants from all over Japan. This field is proven to have a promissing future.
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