Study Questions for Lowndes

  1. How does Lowndes claim institutionalism to relate to Political Science?
  2. How does the institutionalist approach utilize “common sense”?
  3. What is the relationship between institutionalism and other dominant approaches such as rational choice or behavioralism?
  4. Explain the “new institutionalism.”
  5. What are the main elements of the traditional institutionalist approach”? Why were they not seen as strong approaches to the study of politics? How do they aid the “new institutionalist” approach?
  6. What types of questions do new institutionalists ask?
  7. Describe the seven strains of new institutionalism. What are their main assertions? How can these be useful?
  8. List and explain the core distinctions of the institutionalist described by Lowndes. Why does she include these? What implications are posed for political science research?
  9. What parallel assumptions can be found in the new institutionalist perspective comparable to the traditional perspective?
  10. What does Lowndes describe as the definition of an institution? Why is this important to her arguments?
  11. How do standard operating procedures relate to the institutionalist perspective?
  12. Why is stability a defining feature of institutionalism?
  13. How does Lowndes answer her question of the compatibility of normative and rational choice approaches?
  14. Describe Lowndes’s conclusion as to the usefulness of the institutionalist perspective. How convincing is she in her arguments?
  15. What implications for American Politics can be assumed from the conclusions drawn in this article?

Things to look for/keep in mind for future readings:

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