Using Evolutionary Theory to Predict Economic Recovery.

Interesting idea that is gaining traction in economics - Matt Ridley has 2 excellent books (he is a biologist writing about economics and emergent systems).

The authors of this study argue:

“By treating the world trade network as an evolving system, theory predicts the trade network is more sensitive to evolutionary shocks and recovers more slowly from them now than it did 40 years ago, due to structural changes in the world trade network induced by globalization,” the authors state.The concept of modularity, which in biology refers to a structure that is part of a larger system but can function on its own, is key to their findings. In evolutionary theory increased modularity leads to more complexity, and a greater ability to withstand shocks. But globalization has decreased modularity in world trade and led to a more homogeneous structure, leading to deeper recessions and longer recoveries."