Institutional Change and Political Dynamics

Institutional Change and Political Dynamics explores how formal and informal rules, norms and structures evolve over time in response to internal pressures, external shocks and the strategic action of political actors. At its core lie questions of stability and transformation: why do some institutions endure while others unravel or are radically reformed? Scholars distinguish between gradual mechanisms—such as layering, drift and conversion—and punctuated shifts triggered by critical junctures or crises. These explanations intersect with theories of path dependency, emphasising how earlier choices constrain later developments, and with historical institutionalism, which situates change within broader socio-political trajectories. Recent work has introduced temporal concepts like repetition to capture cycles of inclusive reform and rollback, as well as the role of coalitional agency in creating, maintaining and contesting institutional orders. Empirical studies range from urban governance and environmental agreements to digitalisation and social policy, revealing global patterns of adaptation. This field offers practical insights for policymakers navigating governance transitions in areas such as climate action, public service delivery and economic regulation, and for reformers seeking to embed durable and equitable change.

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Institutional Change and Political Dynamics publication trend

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Technical terms

Path dependency: The principle that earlier institutional choices set constraints on and shape the trajectory of future policy developments.

Critical juncture: A brief period of institutional instability during which major shifts can redirect the long-term path of governance structures.

Layering: A gradual change mechanism whereby new rules or elements are added to existing institutions without replacing them entirely.

Conversion: The process by which existing institutional rules are redirected to new purposes or interpretations.

Repetition: A non-linear pattern of reform in which initiatives are cyclically adopted, rolled back and relaunched in response to political and social pressures.

References

1. The making of urban informal settlements: Critical junctures and path dependency in governing Abuja, Nigeria. Cities (2024).
2. Here we go again! Repetition and the Politics of Inclusive Institutional Reform. Journal of European Public Policy (2023).
3. The gradual corporatization of transport infrastructure: The Danish case. Public Administration (2022).
4. Agency in historical institutionalism: Coalitional work in the creation, maintenance, and change of institutions. Theory and Society (2021).