Institutional Theory in Political Science

B. Guy Peters is Professor of Political Science at the University of Pittsburgh, USA. He is the author or editor of over 60 books in political science, and a founding editor of the European Political Science Review and of Governance. He has been a guest professor in universities in almost every country in Europe and a number in Latin America and Asia.

• Preface; 1. Institutionalism Old and New; 2. The Roots of the New Institutionalism: Normative Institutionalism; 3. Rational Choice Theory and Institutional Theory; 4. The Legacy of the Past: Historical Institutionalism; 5. Empirical Institutionalism; 6. Ideas as the Foundation of Institutions: Discursive Institutionalism; 7. Sociological Institutionalism; 8. Institutions of Interest Representation; 9. International Institutionalism; 10. Conclusion: One Institutionalism or Many?

"Institutional theory continues to constitute the backbone of political science and public administration. This book provides a well-argued, systematic and balanced account of the various strands of institutional theory. The addition of a chapter on discursive institutionalism makes it an even more complete guide to institutional theory that will be of great value for students and scholars alike." - Jacob Torfing, Professor in Institutions and Politics, Roskilde University, Denmark