7 strains of Institutionalism

 Normative institutionalist - argues that political institutions

influence actor’s behavior by shaping their ‘values, norms,

interest, identities and beliefs.’

 Rational choice institutionalist - argue that political institutions

are systems of rules and persuasion within which individuals

attempt to maximize their usefulness.

 Historical institutionalist - look at how choices made about the

institutional design of government systems influence the future

decision-making of individuals.

 Empirical institutionalist - classify different institutional types and

analyze their practical impact upon government performance.

 International institutionalist - show that the behavior of states is

directed by the structural constraints (formal and informal) of

international political life.

 Sociological institutionalist - study the way institutions create

significance for individuals, providing important theoretical

factors for normative institutionalism within political science.

 Network institutionalist - show how regularized, but often

informal, patterns of interaction between individuals and groups

shape political behavior.