sociological institutionalism

Sociological institutionalism, a branch of new institutionalism, posits that political actors adhere to norms and rules because these have become so ingrained they are taken for granted. This perspective, rooted in sociology and anthropology, views institutions not solely as rational constructs but as culturally shaped entities. It emphasizes how shared understandings, myths, and symbolic systems create institutional cultures where certain actions are considered appropriate based on roles, rather than purely on calculated self-interest. This approach helps explain why political actors may follow established practices simply because they cannot envision alternatives.12