Neutral Theory, Stochasticity, and the Efficiency of Social Institutions
借鉴分子生物学的中性理论，解释社会制度或文化习俗的随机性起源，认为它们可能像中性基因一样在群体中传播而不带来功能性收益，为理性选择基础提供新视角。
ABSTRACT This paper draws on the concept of neutral theory from molecular biology to describe how rational choice foundations may be given to cultural practices or social institutions such that the specifics of the practice or institution are inherently arbitrary, that is, stochastic. Neutral theory describes the process by which genes at the molecular level may propagate across a species without conferring any benefit in terms of evolutionary fitness. Likewise, social institutions or cultural practices may propagate across the group without any instrumental use for them. Interpretations of practices and institutions in terms of neutral theory are generally simpler than other economic explanations. On the other hand, definitionally, neutral explanations of cultural practices are less likely because they will not be actively selected for at the group level.