MODULE 2 : INSTITUTIONALISM

What is "old"/traditional institutionalism?

The traditional, historic way of doing political science: a normative, structuralist, historicist, legalist, and holistic approach that studies formal rules and organizations

What did traditional institutionalists mainly study?

Formal rules and organizations, described through constitutions, legal systems, and government structures

Why is traditional institutionalism called "unreflective"?

It was descriptive and did not focus on theory and method. It "flourished as a kind of common sense" in political science (Lowndes, 1996)

How did traditional institutionalism view institutions?

In a very formal and legalistic way

Which early work is one of the earliest attempts at institutionalism?

Aristotle's Politics

In Aristotle's typology, which forms of rule are by ONE ruler?

Tyranny (ruler benefits) and Monarchy (people benefit)

In Aristotle's typology, which forms of rule are by FEW rulers?

Oligarchy (rulers benefit) and Aristocracy (people benefit)

In Aristotle's typology, which forms of rule are by MANY rulers?

Democracy (rulers benefit) and Polity (people benefit)

How does new institutionalism see institutions, compared to the old approach?

As dynamic, autonomous, interactive, and an arena of contestation

How does new institutionalism define an institution?

A set of formal and informal rules, norms, and practices that embody values and power and are contextually embedded

How did Huntington (1965) define institutions?

"Stable, valued, recurring patterns of behavior"

How do Leftwich & Sen (2011) define institutions?

Durable social rules and procedures, formal and informal, that structure but do not determine the social, economic, and political relations of those affected by them

What is the central commitment of new institutionalism?

Investigating how institutions shape political behavior and outcomes, and their role in explaining politics through diverse theoretical propositions

Why are there several "institutionalisms"?

Different strands developed in tandem with other theoretical traditions (e.g., behavioralism, feminism, Marxism)

What is the debate about the different new institutionalisms?

Whether they are distinct positions from one another or part of one broad approach

What is the difference between institutions and organizations?

Institutions are rules, not organizations. Institutions are the rules of the game; organizations are the players

What are organizations according to Leftwich & Sen (2011)?

Formally or informally coordinated vehicles for promoting or protecting a mix of individual and shared interests and ideas

Are institutions only formal?

No. They are both formal and informal, which includes unwritten rules and conventions

What question does the formal/informal feature raise?

How unwritten rules interact with, complement, and coexist with formal rules

How do March and Olsen (1989) describe institutions?

As "creating and sustaining islands of imperfect and temporary organization in potentially inchoate political worlds" (dynamic yet stabilizing)

Does the existence of a rule mean everyone complies with it forever?

No. Existence of rules does not imply all parties comply, or that this will not change over time

What do institutions embody?

Values and power. Power dynamics shape the creation, maintenance, and change of institutions

What does "contextually embedded" mean?

Institutions are connected to a wider set of institutions that can reinforce or undermine their effects

What are the three modes of institutional constraint (Lowndes)?

Rules, practices, and narratives

How do we recognize RULES as a mode of constraint?

They are formally constructed and recorded (e.g., constitutional clauses, laws, terms of reference)

How do we recognize PRACTICES as a mode of constraint?

They are demonstrated through conduct (e.g., how elected members behave in parliaments or councils; "the way we do things around here")

How do we recognize NARRATIVES as a mode of constraint?

They are expressed through words and symbols (e.g., politicians' speeches, stories that justify the status quo)

How are RULES sanctioned?

Through coercive action by formal rewards and punishments (e.g., fines, performance bonuses)

How are PRACTICES sanctioned?

Through disapproval, social isolation, and threats of violence (e.g., refusing access to a minister)

How are NARRATIVES sanctioned?

Through incomprehension, ridicule, and attempts to undermine the reputation of non-conformists (e.g., briefing against rivals)

Which research methods suit studying RULES?

Documentary analysis, process tracing, laboratory studies, game theory, and mathematical modelling

Which research methods suit studying PRACTICES?

Observing conduct in formal meetings and behind the scenes; ethnographic approaches

Which research methods suit studying NARRATIVES?

Interviewing actors, recording stories, and narrative analysis of speeches and interviews

How do the three modes of constraint interconnect?

Narratives justify rules; rules formalize established practices; practices form the basis of narratives; the case for changing rules is usually made in narrative form

What does institutional constraint shape, according to Lowndes and Booth (2011)?

Ideas, interests, beliefs, and incentive structures, which frame likely policy choices

Normative institutionalism: how do institutions influence behavior?

Through values and norms

Rational choice institutionalism: how do institutions affect behavior?

They structure the situation in which choices are made

Historical institutionalism: what do institutions reflect, and why do they change?

They reflect and reinforce power relations; changes in institutions respond to shifts and adjustments within those power relations

Constructivist institutionalism: how do institutions shape behavior?

Through frames of meaning; ideas and narratives explain political action

Feminist institutionalism: what does it examine?

How gender norms operate within institutions and how institutions are built to maintain gendered power dynamics

What are three ways institutional genesis and change can be accounted for?

Intentional design, accident, and evolution