ABSTRACT
This chapter recounts a biography of the concept of embeddedness: the core concept of an economic sociology of law (ESL). Frequently used to describe the relationships between law, economy, and society, this ubiquitous concept reveals and conceals in equal measure, inviting confusion and misunderstanding. Two limitations with the concept are identified. The internal limitation asks “what” are we talking about (explored futher in Chapter 4), while the external limitation asks “how” are we talking about it (explored further in Chapter 5)? To understand the internal limitations and inconsistencies of embeddedness-talk, this chapter turns to economic sociology, ESL, and international relations and politics literature that applies embeddedness. Specifically, it explores John RUggie’s “embedded liberalism” and Peter Evans’ “embedded autonomy”. We can discern a set of criteria that might make any embeddedness-talk more conceptually consistent. Our guide personas, Academic Ann and Policy Polly, continue to explore what a confused and inconsistent conceptual metaphor might mean for their work.
