Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/281119 
Year of Publication: 
2020
Citation: 
[Editor:] Kobayashi, A. [Title:] International Encyclopedia of Human Geography, 2nd edn [ISBN:] 978-0-08-102296-2 [DOI/URN:] https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-102295-5.01001-5 [URL:] https://www.sciencedirect.com/referencework/9780081022962/international-encyclopedia-of-human-geography [Publisher:] Elsevier [Place:] Amsterdam [Year:] 2020 [Pages:] 131-134
Publisher: 
Elsevier, Amsterdam
Abstract: 
Cumulative causation arises when a process is self-reinforcing and grows ever stronger, so that it does not equilibrate. It will continue indefinitely unless it is checked by outside intervention or leads to a crisis and systemic breakdown. Ideas of cumulative causation have numerous applications in economics and other social sciences, investigated by authors such as Nicholas Kaldor, Gunnar Myrdal and Albert Hirschman. In human geography, cumulative processes have particular relevance for inequalities between rich and poor regions, implying that without intervention the gaps will widen. This article discusses the nature of cumulative causation, examines its general features, and assesses its geographical consequences at national and global levels.
Subjects: 
increasing returns
vicious and virtuous circles
disequilibrium
Matthew effect
unequal development
regional policies
JEL: 
B41
B50
O10
R11
R58
Published Version’s DOI: 
Document Type: 
Book Part
Document Version: 
Accepted Manuscript (Postprint)
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