Return to search

The diversity and evolution of competition : an ideal proposed for regulatory design

This dissertation presents a concept of diversity as an ideal of international
economic regulation. The theme of diversity refers to the differentiation of individual
competitive strategies. The first advantage of such differentiation is argued to be as a
means of stable and adaptive progress; increasing the number of possible techniques with
which to meet as yet unforeseen challenges. As the first principle of diversity entails a
method for systemic responsiveness, the second principle gives content to this method
and states that social goals should serve as the incentives encouraging competitors toward
differentiation. The advantage offered by the second principle is that social non-economic
goals may be advanced in the present, as individuals attempt new routes to personal
reward via the satisfaction of collective objectives that previously may have had little or
no economic value.
As an ideal of diversity contemplates a method of systemic incentives, rather than
mandated outcomes, the location of innovation remains individual competitors.
Accordingly, the ideal of diversity is justified and articulated from a basis in individual
rights. Diversity is argued to be the optimal set of principles which individuals would
select if given the ability to design a new competitive system. In joining a method of
differentiation with the added social content of non-economic priority, diversity offers a
unique blend of economic efficiency and equity; or of self-interest and concern for the
welfare of others. Diversity allows an individual to think of their own pursuit of gain, but
also and simultaneously further collective goals by selecting the priorities that should
influence competitors toward differentiation. Other’s welfare becomes a route to
individual success.
The project progresses through three broad conceptual stages. First, international
problems of market failure are considered in light of strategies and the economic
impulses toward self and system defeating cycles of competition. Second, a redefinition
of legal and economic progress is offered to meet conditions of unpredictability, and to
arrive at an evolutionary method that encourages constantly competitive variation with
which to meet society’s future challenges. Third, an evolutionary approach to
international regulation is translated into a priority system of legal rights.

  1. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/753
Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:BVAU.2429/753
Date05 1900
CreatorsIlg, Michael Peter
PublisherUniversity of British Columbia
Source SetsLibrary and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation

Page generated in 0.0032 seconds