Institutional explanations have been, and continue to be, one of the most important means of understanding the choices made by governments and other actors in society. This four volume set brings together a collection of the key readings in institutional theory and its applications to political phenomena. Although the principal focus of these readings is on institutional theory based in political science, articles from other disciplines that have been central to the development of theory in this discipline, or that have substantial relevance for political phenomena, have also been included. Forming part of the SAGE Library of Political Science, this set contains a substantial overall introduction and conclusion as well as shorter introductions to each Part. It is an essential purchase for social science libraries around the world. Part I - Institutionalisms, Old and New Part II - The Revival of Institutionalism Part III - Approaches to Institutionalism Part IV - Applications of Institutionalism Part V - Theoretical Problems Part VI - Institutionalism as Methodology Part VII - Critiques of Institutionalism Part VIII - Conclusion