Institutions and Functions

Francesco Guala; Frank Hindriks

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-32618-0_2

Institutions and Functions

Francesco Guala, Frank Hindriks

Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Academic › peer-review

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Abstract

What is an institution? And what distinguishes one type of institution from another? We answer these questions using a functionalist approach: types of institutions are identified by their function, or the coordination problems they solve; token institutions are specific solutions to these problems, or equilibria of strategic games. The functionalist approach provides some insights into the limits of reform, or the extent to which institutions – like marriage, property, or democracy – can be modified without turning them into entities of a different kind.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Institutions in Action
Subtitle of host publication	The Nature and the Role of Institutions in the Real World
Editors	Tiziana Andina, Petar Bojanic
Publisher	Springer
Pages	9-19
Number of pages	11
ISBN (Electronic)	978-3-030-32618-0
ISBN (Print)	978-3-030-32617-3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32618-0_2
Publication status	Published - 2020

Publication series

Name	Studies in the Philosophy of Sociality

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-030-32618-0_2

Institutions and FunctionsFinal publisher's version, 360 KBLicence: Taverne

Cite this

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