Change and continuity: an institutional approach to institutions of democratic government

Abstract

While it is commonplace to argue that political institutions are a source of inertia and resistance to change and the New Institutionalism is unable to explain change, this paper takes the opposite view. First , the problem of change is reformulated and it is observed that institutions have a role in generating both order and change and in balancing the two. Second , the concepts of institution and institutionalization are elaborated. Third , institutional sources of change and continuity are explored. Fourth , some implications for how democratic change and order can be conceived are spelled out, and, finally , some future challenges are suggested.