New Institutional Economics

48 Pages Posted: 9 Sep 1998

See all articles by Peter G. Klein

Peter G. Klein

Baylor University - Hankamer School of Business; Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) - Department of Strategy and Management; Ludwig von Mises Institute

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Date Written: July 1998

Abstract

This essay surveys the new institutional economics, a rapidly growing literature combining economics, law, organization theory, political science, sociology, and anthropology to understand social, political, and commercial institutions. This literature tries to explain what institutions are, how they arise, what purposes they serve, how they change, and how they may be reformed. Following convention, I distinguish between the institutional environment (the background constraints, or rules of the game that guide individuals' behavior) and institutional arrangements (specific guidelines designed by trading partners to facilitate particular exchanges). In both cases, the discussion here focuses on applications, evidence, and policy implications.

JEL Classification: D23, D72, L22, L42, O17

Suggested Citation

Klein, Peter G., New Institutional Economics (July 1998). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=115811 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.115811

Peter G. Klein (Contact Author)

Baylor University - Hankamer School of Business ( email )

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254-710-4903 (Phone)

Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) - Department of Strategy and Management ( email )

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Norway

Ludwig von Mises Institute ( email )

Auburn, AL
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