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The New Institutional Behavioralism (SPS-REIMM-THE-23)

SPS-REIMM-THE-23

Purpose

“Institutions” constitute society. Creations of human beings, institutions order social, political, economic, and even cultural intercourse. Indeed, institutions constitute the very basis for human interaction. Consequently, institutions bear within them equally the potential danger of the most deep-seated social control, as well as the promise of human liberation from both the social bond and the constraints of nature. Institutionalism is the study of the origins, effects, and potential for reform of institutions.
This seminar introduces students to the theoretical program of the new institutionalism, and deepens it by delving into sociological institutionalism and contemporary examples of empirical work.
The aim of the class is three-fold.  One is to familiarize students with foundational classic texts as well as recent publications in sociology and political science. The second is to help students develop their own research projects by encouraging them to see it through the lens of institutionalism. Third, where appropriate, we will discuss the differences, advantages and disadvantages of institutionalist versus behavioralist approaches to social and political phenomena and seek to bridge these in a new synthesis.
For each session (starting with session 2), we ask students to post a short memo about the readings (or—especially interesting—the relationship amongst the readings). It would be very helpful to receive these by late Sunday night or early Monday morning, as these memos will guide our discussion in the next day’s class and are fundamental for a fruitful discussion of the materials.
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