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Cambridge Journal of Economics Advance Access originally published online on July 8, 2009
Cambridge Journal of Economics 2009 33(6):1153-1167; doi:10.1093/cje/bep040
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© The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Cambridge Political Economy Society. All rights reserved.

Economics, postcolonial theory and the problem of culture: institutional analysis and hybridity

Eiman O. Zein-Elabdin*

* Franklin & Marshall College, Pennsylvania

Address for correspondence: Franklin & Marshall College, Department of Economics, PO Box 4004, Lancaster, PA 17604, USA; email: eiman.zein-elabdin{at}fandm.edu

Postcolonial theory has not yet made an impact in economics. This may be explained by the different treatment of culture in each field. In postcolonial theory, culture serves as a central analytical category. In economics, despite increased attention in recent history, general approaches to culture continue to underestimate its role in economic behaviour and decision making. Borrowing some insights from postcolonial theory, this paper calls for further attention to culture in economics. It is argued that such a turn improves current understanding of contemporary economic phenomena, and allows subaltern cultures (currently theorised as less developed) to equally participate in the global construction of social meaning and economic well being. It is further argued that incorporating the postcolonial idea of hybridity into the institutional economic approach holds the most promise for theorising contemporary postcolonial economies. This argument is illustrated by examining some hybrid economic patterns within Africa.

Key Words: Economics • Postcolonial theory • Culture • Institutional economics • Africa

JEL classifications: B52, F54, O55

Manuscript received July 14, 2008; final version received March 16, 2009.


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