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Institutional Theory in Political Science, Fourth Edition
The New Institutionalism
4th edition
9781786437945 Edward Elgar Publishing
Institutional theory plays a significant role in contemporary political science. As in the previous editions, the new fourth edition provides an overview of the major institutional approaches in the discipline, as well as considering the possibility of a more integrated institutional theory. This edition also contains two new chapters. One assesses the role of informal institutions and their linkages with formal structures of governing. The second new chapter provides a detailed discussion of the processes of institutionalization and deinstitutionalization.
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Critical Acclaim
Contents
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How are institutions formed and how do they change? How do institutions interact to produce action? And how formal do institutions need to be to become effective actors of governance? This textbook provides a thorough examination of institutions from a number of theoretical perspectives to identify their key characteristics.
Key features of the fourth edition:
• Eight consistent questions are used to highlight the similarities and differences between institutions, using both formal and informal examples
• Two new chapters focus on informal institutions and the process of institutionalization and deinstitutionalization
• A wide range of theories are highlighted, giving students a broad overview of institutional theory in political science
• The application of these institutional theories is demonstrated using a variety of international examples.
For students of comparative politics, political theory and institutions, this textbook will be an essential guide to understanding and analyzing institutions in political science.
Key features of the fourth edition:
• Eight consistent questions are used to highlight the similarities and differences between institutions, using both formal and informal examples
• Two new chapters focus on informal institutions and the process of institutionalization and deinstitutionalization
• A wide range of theories are highlighted, giving students a broad overview of institutional theory in political science
• The application of these institutional theories is demonstrated using a variety of international examples.
For students of comparative politics, political theory and institutions, this textbook will be an essential guide to understanding and analyzing institutions in political science.
Critical Acclaim
‘The book offers by far the most systematic and elaborate account of the importance of institutional theory in political science. It gives both researchers and practitioners a lot of ideas about how to analyze and conduct political-administrative decision-making processes, seen through institutional lenses.’
– Tom Christensen, University of Oslo, Norway and Renmin University of China
– Tom Christensen, University of Oslo, Norway and Renmin University of China
Contents
Contents: Preface to 4th edition 1. Institutionalism Old and New Part I Varieties of Institutionalism 2. The Roots of the New Institutionalism: “Normative Institutionalism” 3. Rational Choice Theory and Institutional Theory 4. The Legacy of the Past: Historical Institutionalism 5. Empirical Institutionalism 6. Ideas as the Foundation of Institutions: Discursive and Constructivist Institutionalism 7. Sociological Institutionalism Part II Applications of Institutionalism 8. Institutions of Interest Representation 9. International Institutionalism Part III Issues in Institutionalism 9. Informal Institutions and Governing 10. Institutionalization and Deinstitutionalization Part IV Wrapping Up 11. Conclusion: One Institutionalism or Many References Index
