Rodrick Wallace is Research Scientist at Division of Epidemiology, The New York State Psychiatric Institute, USA

This unique and innovative book applies cutting-edge methods from cognitive science and evolutionary theory to the problem of the necessary stabilization of economic processes. At the core of this book is the establishment of a statistics-like toolbox for the study of empirical data that is consistent with generalized evolutionary approaches. This toolbox enables the construction of both new economic theories and methods of data analysis that can help in the design of more robust economic institutions. This in turn will result in less frequent and less disruptive Black Swans, and enable as well the design of culturally-specific systems less affected by those that do occur.

1. The Crisis in Economic Theory 2. Evolutionary Economics 3. Black Swans and Red Queens 4. Lies and Deceit: `Niche Construction' 5. Farming an Economy 6. Cambrian Explosions and Mass Extinctions 7. Counterexample: The Pentagon Ratchet 8. Counterexample: Organized Hyperviolence 9. Counterexample: Farming Human Pathogens 10. Escaping the Howling Wilderness 11. Mathematical Appendix