Convention
A self-perpetuating regularity of behavior that solves a recurrent coordination problem through mutual expectation rather than explicit agreement.
Also known as: Social convention, Lewis convention, Conventions
Category: Philosophy & Wisdom
Tags: coordination, game-theory, philosophy, communications, social-norms
Explanation
Convention, formalized by philosopher David Lewis building on Thomas Schelling's work, is a stable solution to a recurring coordination problem. People follow a convention not because they have explicitly agreed to it, nor because it is the uniquely best option, but because everyone expects everyone else to follow it, and this mutual expectation is itself common knowledge. Driving on the right side of the road, using a particular language, observing currency denominations, queuing politely, shaking hands in greeting, and adopting file-naming standards are all conventions. Several properties distinguish conventions from other behavioral regularities: they solve coordination problems, they have viable alternatives that would work just as well, conformity is in everyone's interest given that others conform, and the practice is sustained by mutual expectation rather than enforcement. Conventions can emerge spontaneously from precedent, salience, or accident and then lock in through path dependence and network effects. They are also fragile in a particular way: once expectations shift, a convention can collapse quickly, because no one has an intrinsic stake in the specific solution. Understanding conventions clarifies why so much social behavior persists without anyone defending it on its merits, why standards battles are so consequential, and why deliberately reshaping public expectation is the lever for changing entrenched but suboptimal practices.
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