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Not by rules or choice alone: a pragmatist critique of institution theories in economics and sociology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 December 2008

ANTTI GRONOW
ANTTI GRONOW*
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology, University of Helsinki, Finland
*
*Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

The article discusses institutional theories in economics and sociology. The discussion adopts W. Richard Scott's classification into regulative, normative, and discursive theories. A fourth alternative, habitual institutionalism, is also presented because of the problems encountered with the other theories. Pragmatically inclined habitual institutionalism presents a consistent theory of action wherein conscious action is derived from habitual action, which is also the basis of institutionalization. In addition, habitual institutionalism portrays human rationality more extensively than economists and sociologists have traditionally done. For these reasons, the difficulties associated with other institutional theories can be avoided.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Institutional Economics , Volume 4 , Issue 3 , December 2008 , pp. 351 - 373
Copyright
Copyright © The JOIE Foundation 2008

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