Soft Concepts in Economics: The Challenges of Researching Trust
Soft Concepts in Economics: The Challenges of Researching Trust

Summary/Abstract: The paper surveys the challenges of researching soft concepts in economics through focusing on trust. Although there is increasing evidence about its importance for macroeconomic outcomes, tensions with the homo oeconomicus model as well as the difficulties of conceptualization and measurement imply significant difficulties for research. The paper argues that comparative economics with its systemic analysis and traditional openness to interdisciplinary approaches is particularly well-suited for resolving these challenges, and it could also provide a contribution to trust research through integrating macro-, meso- and micro-level analysis.

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