Exile and Social Science

This chapter focuses on how Albert Hirschman presented that the image of the economy as a fully competitive system where changes in the fortunes of individual firms are exclusively caused by basic shifts of comparative advantage is certainly an inaccurate representation of the real world. In associations such as the family, the state, and religious, civic, and professional institutions, loyalty dominates and often trumps exit in favor of voice. “Exit” means leaving behind a product, a service, a firm, or a country to seek others, whereas “voice” refers to the choice to seek influence and have a say in determining the future quality of products or institutions. The chapter shows how Hirschman knew about exit, the search for voice, and the conflicts of loyalties first-hand through his eventful life and travels.