Since halfway the twentieth century attempts are made to describe society by means of systems theories. They present schemes of interactions between actors within their institutional frames. The present blog elaborates on the systems theory, which Haas proposes around 1964 in his book Beyond the nation-state. Learning processes create a certain dynamics. Integration occurs, when the actors unite in collective organizations. The administrative apparatus is not neutral. The way of making decisions is adapted to the nature of the system .... Read more
29-09-2022: Four years of analysis of institutions
Author: E.A. Bakkum
The Gazette studies since at least four years the importance of national institutions. The individual and social advantages of institutions can be illustrated with rational arguments. However, the human psyche imposes clear limits on rationality. Institutions are quite rigid. They exhibit a variety, which is determined by culture. And they are obviously a source of power. Theoreticians want to establish categories of national regimes, but this is quite difficult. For, institutions partly emerge due to spontaneous diffusion. Finally, the ideas of the economist Liefmann are studied .... Read more
01-08-2022: Sociology of the actor-centred analysis
Author: E.A. Bakkum
For the sake of the inter-disciplinary approach a bridge is needed between the actor-institution analysis and the differentiation theory of sociology. The institutional analysis of Ostrom is described again. It is shown, that in many situations the homo economicus is willing to cooperate. Three system-theories are presented, namely of Parsons, Luhmann and Sabatier. Their advantages and drawbacks are summarized, as well as their implications for planning. The Leninist application of system theory is described .... Read more
12-06-2022: Actor-centred institutionalism
Author: E.A. Bakkum
Since about a year the Gazette studies models of the public administration. They can bridge the gap between theories from economics and the political science. Recently policy analysis has developed the actor-centred institutionalism, which indeed combines the best of these two worlds. Rational behaviour is restricted by the institutions. Besides, the form of action is taken into account. It turns out that policies can be described well by methods from the social choice theory. Notably game theory and the Hicks-Kaldor compensation principle provide insights in policies .... Read more
15-05-2022: Social choice theories of decisions
Author: E.A. Bakkum
The social choice theory offers models of decisions, which are relevant for the public administration. For, the decision is a part of the policy cycle. Notably the social choice theory studies the formation of coalitions. The coalition game can have stable outcomes, which are in the core. It is conceivable, that the actors in the coaliton can transfer utility. Often the actors will exchange votes (logrolling). The Shapley value is a way to integrate morals in the social choice theory. Finally the applicability of the social choice theory will be discussed .... Read more