Kurt Dopfer

Who is Kurt Dopfer?

Kurt Dopfer is the Professor at the Department of Economics, University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, and also the co-director of the Institute for National Economics.

Dopfer is best known for several contributions in evolutionary economics, such as the axiomatization of evolutionary economic approach. In his recent publication, Dopfer argues that a concept of homo oeconomicus has to be replaced by the concept of rule-based agent, homo sapiens oeconomicus.

Dopfer with co-authors has also espoused the introduction of intermediate level of analysis in economics, apart from micro- and macro- level. The meso-level is where collective behaviour patterns are established, and where institutions operate. This level works as an intermediary linking micro-level interactions and macro-level dynamics. Thus, importance of institutions in economic analysis is emphasized.