Exploring the theoretical roots of the evolutionary approach, this book demonstrates how it fits squarely into the theoretical mainstream. Focusing on the institutions of evolutionary change and the processes - such as competition - that generate change, it takes account of important European contributions to the discipline, hitherto overshadowed by the American paradigm. As such, the book serves to broaden the current discourse. Whilst evolutionary economics itself is a well researched and widely documented field, this book should be credited with establishing a history of evolutionary economic thought.