Institutional Theory in Political Science

by B. Guy Peters

At the turn of the millennium there has been a major growth of interest in institutional theory and institutional analysis in political science. This book identifies these approaches to institutions, and provides a frame of reference for the different theories. In the past decade there has been a major growth of interest in institutional theory and institutional analysis in political science. There are, however, a variety of different approaches to the new institutionalism' and these approaches rarely address the same issues. This book identifies the various approaches to institutions, and then provides a common frame of reference for the different theories.
Peters argues that there are at least seven versions of institutionalism, beginning with the March and Olsen 'normative institutionalism', and including rational choice, historical and empirical approaches to institutions and their impact on public policy. For each of the versions of institutionalism them is a set of identical questions, including the definition of institutions, the way in which they are formed, how they change, how individuals and institutions interact, and the nature of a 'good institution'. Peters discusses whether them are really so many different approaches to institutionalism, or if there is sufficient agreement among them to argue that there is really one institutional theory.

Genres: Political Science, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1998

Reviews

[Sarah Clement · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent overview of institutionalism that I wish I had read as the very first book in my PhD. I'd recommend this book to any student studying institutions, governance, and even more generally political science. Peters overviews the major schools, but also explains the variety of perspectives in each of these schools. I particularly liked the chapter on empirical institutionalism, as I haven't seen much else written about it in journal articles. This book demonstrates why books are still so valuable in academic research (believe it or not, I am frequently teased for reading so many books, instead of just relying on journal articles). This book provides foundational knowledge that is critical but would rarely be published in an article, and certainly not in nearly as much detail.

[Jayasankar Thayyil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though the book was little complex for my taste, I might just come back again to read it.

[Mezaluna]

How can i read this book? It can't accessed