I was often called an institutionalist, by foes and friends alike, when they were referring to my work and analysis. To them I say, yes, I am an institutionalist and proud of it. But what exactly does it mean to be an institutionalist? In Political Science, an institutionalist view of the world is through institutions. In most political systems, the behavior of actors is structured by formal and informal institutions. We can find evidence across the world on how institutions shape identity, power and political strategies. Similarly, on how institutional performance is shaped by political, social and economic factors. While legitimacy and authority can be exercised without any institutional boundary — for example through personal rule or dictatorships—self-governing institutions can generate a less subjective and personalized manifestation of that legitimacy and authority. Institutions can help organize the political and policy spaces and power, and the ways actors can maneuver and interact within the spaces and process. The challenge is to make these institutions work in a democratic governance context. Yes, dictators and authoritarian governments can empower themselves by controlling institutions like the armed forces, the legislatures and the banking system, and govern unilaterally without checks and balances and without fearing any consequences for discretionary rule. But it is more difficult to shape, operate and articulate institutions in more plural, participatory and transparent settings. One can argue that functional and democratic States, operate through a cluster of institutions that shape constraints and promote compliance through procedures and rules. Institutions are not perfect nor are they a panacea for governance, but do they have a role to play, particularly in today’s democratic governance?
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