Topic description:
Introducing the analytical categories of rule, carrier and operation a micro-meso-macro framework for the analysis of the economic system is developed. The analytical key unit is an evolutionary regime which is composed of a rule and a population of carriers that adopt it. The dynamic of the regime is modeled on the basis of a trajectory with the phases of rule origination, selective adoption, and retention.The evolutionary regime — which in a total system constitutes a meso unit — is a structural component (rule complementarity) and a process component (rule actualization in time). Thus the complex macro structure of an economic system is composed of a deep and a surface structure and its dynamic is a change of one of its meso units as it coevolves with others over time. An attempt will be made to connect ideas from biology and economics.

Biographical note:
Kurt Dopfer has been Professsor of Economics and Director of the Institute of Economics at the University of St. Gallen since 1980. Post-doctoral studies at Harvard and Stanford University, 1972-1976 Professor of Economics at International Christian University (ICU), Tokyo, 1976-1980 Research fellow of Swiss National Science Foundation, Berne, Guest professor at various institutions, such as Institute of Advanced Studies in Vienna, University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, and Technical University Dresden. Several books in eight languages, numerous articles in academic journals, edited books, Festschrifts and newspapers on evolutionary and institutional economics and on paradigmatic, ontological and methodological issues of the science of economics. Member of editorial or advisory board of various journals including the Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Revue d'Economie Politique, European Journal of History of Economic Thought. Presently or formerly Member of Board of several scientific associations, such as the European Association of Evolutionary Political Economy (EAEPE), International Joseph A. Schumpeter Society (ISS), Chairman of various committees of scientific prices, such as Schumpeter price, Myrdal price and Kapp price, Chairman of Research Group of Evolutionary Economists (Ausschuss) of German Economic Association. Member of European Academy of Arts and Sciences.