Chapter 30: Institutional theory
Category:
Handbook Chapter
Published:
18 Feb 2022
Page Range:
323–335
Collection:
Political Science and Public Policy 2022
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4337/9781800371972.00039
Restricted access

Institutions are central actors in governance. This is a common sense statement and requires elaboration, both in theoretical terms and in terms of comparative politics. This chapter discusses the relevance of five approaches to institutional theory for governance. Each of these approaches helps to illuminate the processes of governing, but each also has serious weaknesses as an approach. Further, although the emphasis in institutional theories is generally on the formal institutions of the public sector, informal structures are also relevant and supplement or compete with formal institutions.

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Cover Handbook on Theories of Governance
Handbook on Theories of Governance
Handbook
Published:
18 Feb 2022
Print ISBN:
9781800371965
eISBN:
9781800371972
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4337/9781800371972
Pages:
656
Collection:
Political Science and Public Policy 2022
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