The diffusion of an evolutionary approach in economics during the past roughly 40 years has
been steady and persuasive. This special issue is taking stock of some recent developments
especially in the fields of analysis of institutions economic geography consumption and the
demand side which are still somewhat exploratory and pioneering. Four broad groups of papers
are presented addressing Creativity and knowledge accumulation Firms consumers and
structural change Welfare and evolving preferences and The macro and institutional levels .
