Cumulative causation

William Anthony Jackson

doi:10.1016/B978-0-08-102295-5.10038-1

Cumulative causation

William Anthony Jackson

Economics

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Entry for encyclopedia/dictionary

Abstract

Cumulative causation arises when a process is self-reinforcing and grows ever stronger, so that it does not equilibrate. It will continue indefinitely unless it is checked by outside intervention or leads to a crisis and systemic breakdown. Ideas of cumulative causation have numerous applications in economics and other social sciences, investigated by authors such as Nicholas Kaldor, Gunnar Myrdal and Albert Hirschman. In human geography, cumulative processes have particular relevance for inequalities between rich and poor regions, implying that without intervention the gaps will widen. This article discusses the nature of cumulative causation, examines its general features, and assesses its geographical consequences at national and global levels.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	International Encyclopedia of Human Geography
Editors	A. Kobayashi
Place of Publication	Amsterdam
Publisher	Elsevier
Pages	131-134
Number of pages	4
Edition	2
ISBN (Electronic)	978-0-08-102296-2
ISBN (Print)	978-0-08-102295-5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-102295-5.10038-1
Publication status	Published - 4 Dec 2019

Bibliographical note

Keywords

cumulative causation
increasing returns
economies of scale
Matthew effect
unequal development
regional policies

Access to Document

10.1016/B978-0-08-102295-5.10038-1

Cite this

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N2 - Cumulative causation arises when a process is self-reinforcing and grows ever stronger, so that it does not equilibrate. It will continue indefinitely unless it is checked by outside intervention or leads to a crisis and systemic breakdown. Ideas of cumulative causation have numerous applications in economics and other social sciences, investigated by authors such as Nicholas Kaldor, Gunnar Myrdal and Albert Hirschman. In human geography, cumulative processes have particular relevance for inequalities between rich and poor regions, implying that without intervention the gaps will widen. This article discusses the nature of cumulative causation, examines its general features, and assesses its geographical consequences at national and global levels.

AB - Cumulative causation arises when a process is self-reinforcing and grows ever stronger, so that it does not equilibrate. It will continue indefinitely unless it is checked by outside intervention or leads to a crisis and systemic breakdown. Ideas of cumulative causation have numerous applications in economics and other social sciences, investigated by authors such as Nicholas Kaldor, Gunnar Myrdal and Albert Hirschman. In human geography, cumulative processes have particular relevance for inequalities between rich and poor regions, implying that without intervention the gaps will widen. This article discusses the nature of cumulative causation, examines its general features, and assesses its geographical consequences at national and global levels.

KW - cumulative causation

KW - increasing returns

KW - economies of scale

KW - Matthew effect

KW - unequal development

KW - regional policies

U2 - 10.1016/B978-0-08-102295-5.10038-1

DO - 10.1016/B978-0-08-102295-5.10038-1

M3 - Entry for encyclopedia/dictionary

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