INSTITUTIONALISM | CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF SOCIAL SCIENCES | DISS MODULE 8 | SHS SPECIALIZED

Summary

In this lecture, Teacher Ban introduces the concept of institutionalism within the social sciences. The discussion covers key theories and theorists, such as David Mitrany and John Monnet, and explores various types of institutionalism, including normative, rational choice, historical, and feminist institutionalism. The lecture explains how institutions shape social, political, and economic behavior, emphasizing the role of norms, rules, and policies. Theories of state power, the role of gender, and institutional economics are also highlighted. Students are encouraged to engage with additional resources and provide insights in the Google Classroom.

Takeaways

• 📚 The lesson focuses on institutionalism as a major concept in social sciences, particularly in understanding how institutions govern social thought and action.
• 📝 Institutions are defined as patterns, norms, rules, and schemes that deeply penetrate the social consciousness.
• 🏛️ Formal institutions refer to official codified rules, policies, and norms, such as state laws and constitutions.
• 👥 Informal institutions include unwritten rules like social norms, attitudes, and traditions that people enforce on their own based on their beliefs.
• 🌍 David Mitrany is noted for his work on functionalism in international relations, emphasizing how states' authority lies in fulfilling functions rather than territorial control.
• 🇪🇺 Jean Monnet is recognized for advocating supranationalism, particularly in the creation of the European Union, where authority transcends national borders.
• ⚖️ Types of institutionalism include normative institutionalism, which focuses on how norms and formal rules shape behavior within institutions.
• 💡 Rational choice institutionalism is about how actors use institutions to maximize utility, but face rule-based constraints that shape behavior.
• ⏳ Historical institutionalism emphasizes how timing, sequences, and path dependence influence institutional behavior and change.
• 👩‍🔬 Feminist institutionalism examines how gender norms operate within institutions and maintain gender power dynamics.

Q & A

What is institutionalism according to the teacher's discussion?

Institutionalism is an approach that aims to understand and analyze how actions, thoughts, and meanings become deeply embedded into the social consciousness and influence social behavior.

What are the two types of institutions mentioned in the discussion?

The two types of institutions are formal institutions, which are official codified rules like state laws and policies, and informal institutions, which include unwritten norms, social rules, and traditions.

What are examples of formal institutions?

Examples of formal institutions include constitutions, official laws, and state-enforced regulations such as the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines.

What is isomorphism in the context of institutionalism?

Isomorphism refers to the similarity in form, shape, or structure of institutions, suggesting that institutions tend to become similar to one another over time.

Who is David Mitrany, and what is his contribution to institutionalism?

David Mitrany was a Romanian-born British scholar and political theorist considered the father of functionalism in international relations, which argues that a state's authority lies in its functions and needs rather than its territory.

What is the theory of supranationality according to Jean Monnet?

Jean Monnet, a French political economist, advocated for the principle of supranationality, where the needs of the state should be achieved through cooperation beyond national borders, arguing against territorial authority.

What does Stephen Krasner argue about weaker states?

Stephen Krasner argues that the U.S. government and non-government organizations should prioritize stabilizing weaker states to protect American interests and promote global security.

What is the logic of appropriateness in normative institutionalism?

In normative institutionalism, the logic of appropriateness guides the behavior of actors within institutions, meaning that norms and formal rules shape how individuals act within those institutions.

How does historical institutionalism differ from other types?

Historical institutionalism emphasizes the importance of timing, sequences, and path dependence in shaping institutions, and how these factors influence social, political, and economic behavior and change over time.

What role do institutions play in shaping economic behavior according to institutional economics?

Institutional economics focuses on how institutions influence and shape economic behavior through the evolutionary process and the regulatory frameworks that guide economic interactions.