Abstract

TRAVERSA, Federico. Power and institutional change: From path dependence to theories of gradual change. Rev.econ.inst. [online]. 2021, vol.23, n.45, pp.83-108.  Epub Aug 31, 2022. ISSN 0124-5996.  https://doi.org/10.18601/01245996.v23n45.

Historical institutionalism gives special importance to power asymmetries for understanding institutions, but by adopting the concept of path dependence to explain institutional dynamics also falls into a theoretical dilemma. On the one hand path dependence becomes attractive insofar as it gives autonomy to institutional dimension, but on the other hand it isolates institutions from the influence of power asymmetries. Later theories of gradual endogenous change attempt to solve this problem by reintroducing power, but leave a fragmented panorama, full of underlying theoretical tensions for historical institutionalism.

Keywords : Institutional change; path dependence; Historical Institutionalism; JEL: B52, P48, D70.

        · abstract in Spanish | Portuguese     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )