Rene Girard, a French-born literary scholar, has developed a theory of the formation of desire that is based upon interactions between individuals. The process he calls mimetic desire, when brought to bear on economic thinking, may have profound implications for the theory of the consumer/individual, for the normative conclusions of economic theory, and for economic dynamics in an era of environmental challenges. A group of scholars who have been engaged exploring the implications of Girard’s thinking and the ramifications for the social sciences provide a window into this new realm of economic thinking.
Series: Changing of the Guard? Hong Kong 2013
The event was called “The Changing of the Guard?” because it focused on the most pressing global questions of our time, such as economic inequality and financial instability, all set against the backdrop of Asia’s rising importance in the world. CIGI is a co-sponsor of this event.