白搭车问题与诺斯制度变迁理论的转向

Free Rider and North's Institution Change Theory

诺斯早期的制度变迁理论建立在新古典经济学"价格理论"基础之上,这样的"价格理论"在解释荷兰、英国走向成功的案例时,却表现得有些失语,于是他不得不将产权变化归因于超经济的国家力量。诺斯的国家理论也存在一个缺陷,即无法解释低效率产权的存在。为此,他又引入奥尔森的白搭车理论试图完善自己的国家理论。这种完善虽没起到多少效果,但却使诺斯经由白搭车理论的引领,切入到了意识形态的范畴,由此开启了他后期制度变迁理论注重研究心智、认知及信念的闸门。

North＇s early Institution Change Theory was based on the ＂Price Theory＂ of New Classical Economics. While explaining the success of cases in Netherland and UK, ＂Price Theory＂ however, appeared to become a ＂alalia＂. Therefore,North had to put property changes as a result of the national power, which went beyond economy. There is also a gap in North＇s Theory of the State,which failed in explaining the existence of low efficiency property rights. So,he also introduced Olsen＇s Free Rider Theory,trying to perfect his own Theory of the State. It did not help much,but it did help North enter the ideological category. North＇s later stage of Institution Change Theory was focusing on psyche,cognition and belief,which actually started from the guidance of the Free Rider Theory.