Political Science and the Three New Institutionalisms

摘要: The ‘new institutionalism’ is a term that now appears with growing frequency in political science. However, there considerable confusion about just what the is, how it differs from other approaches, and sort of promise or problems displays. object this essay to provide some preliminary answers these questions by reviewing recent work burgeoning literature. Some ambiguities surrounding new institutionalism can be dispelled if we recognize does not constitute unified body thought. Instead, at least three different analytical each which calls itself institutionalism’, have appeared over past fifteen years. We label schools thought: historical institutionalism, rational choice sociological institutionalism.’ All approaches developed reaction behavioural perspectives were influential during 1960s 1970s all seek elucidate role institutions play determination social outcomes. they paint quite pictures world. In sections follow, brief account genesis school characterize distinctive its approach problems. then compare their strengths weaknesses, * An earlier version paper WLS presented 1994 Annual Meeting American Political Science Association Conference on ‘What Institutionalism Now?