Avner Greif

Work Greif specializes in the study of the social institutions that support economic development, and their history, incorporating game theory into his approach to this large subject. Greif is on the board of trustees of the International Society of New Institutional Economics.

Greif's research on informal institutions in development, particularly regarding traders in medieval Europe, has received significant praise from other economists. Among his research contributions is the view that during early stages of economic development, informal reputational mechanisms effectively substitute for formal contract enforcement regimes.

Books

Selected publications

(This paper is an updated version of "Risk, Institutions and Growth: Why England and Not China?")