Neo-statecraft theory, historical institutionalism and institutional change

James, Toby ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5826-5461 (2016) Neo-statecraft theory, historical institutionalism and institutional change. Government and Opposition, 51 (01). pp. 84-110. ISSN 1477-7053

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Abstract

This article provides a critical examination of the contribution that statecraft theory, which has been subject to recent revision and development, makes to the literature on institutional change. It articulates an emergent neo-statecraft approach that offers an agent-led form of historical institutionalism. This overcomes the common criticism that historical institutionalists underplay the creative role of actors. The article also argues that the approach brings back into focus the imperatives of electoral politics as a source of institutional change and provides a macro theory of change which is also commonly missing from historical institutionalist work. It can therefore identify previously unnoticed sources of stability and change, especially in states with strong executives and top-down political cultures.

Item Type: Article
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Arts and Humanities > School of Politics, Philosophy, Language and Communication Studies
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Research Groups > Political, Social and International Studies
Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Research Groups > Policy & Politics
Depositing User: Pure Connector
Date Deposited: 21 Oct 2015 14:00
Last Modified: 21 Jul 2023 09:34
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/54729
DOI: 10.1017/gov.2014.22

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