Schmidt (2010) Flashcards
What is Discursive Institutionalism (DI)?
A theoretical approach that explains institutional change through the role of ideas and discourse.
How does DI differ from the three traditional institutionalist approaches?
DI is dynamic and focuses on how ideas and discourse drive change, whereas Rational Choice, Historical, and Sociological Institutionalism emphasize stability and continuity.
What are the three traditional institutionalist approaches?
Rational Choice Institutionalism (RI) – Focuses on actors making strategic decisions based on incentives.
Historical Institutionalism (HI) – Emphasizes path dependency and critical junctures.
Sociological Institutionalism (SI) – Highlights cultural norms and social appropriateness in shaping behavior.
What are foreground discursive abilities in DI?
The ability of actors to critically communicate, debate, and persuade others about institutions and change.
What are background ideational abilities in DI?
Implicit cognitive frameworks that help actors understand and interact with institutions.
How does DI explain institutional change?
Through processes like reframing, recasting collective memories, constructing narratives, and deliberative democracy.
What is the logic of explanation for each institutionalist approach?
RI → Calculation (strategic decision-making)
HI → Path-dependency (historical continuity)
SI → Appropriateness (cultural norms)
DI → Communication (ideas and discourse)
What is reframing in DI?
Changing how an issue is perceived by altering the dominant narrative.
What is deliberative democracy in DI?
A process in which political decisions are made through inclusive debate and persuasion rather than pure bargaining or coercion.
Why do Rational Choice Institutionalists struggle with DI?
RI assumes fixed preferences and stable incentive structures, whereas DI argues that ideas shape preferences and institutions dynamically.
What are some critiques of DI?
Needs a more robust theoretical model for ideational change.
Must integrate considerations of power and interests.
Requires empirical validation to demonstrate its effectiveness over other approaches.
