What is the definition of an ‘Empty Institution’?

An empty institution is defined as “[institutional] compromises over sensitive political issues. The interests opposed to them ensure that they are established in such a way that they cannot achieve their aims, whereas the interests supporting them win a pyrrhic victory as their rules, as represented by the new institution, have no practical impact on social actors’ behaviour .” In: Peter Ho, Institutions in Transition, Oxford University Press, 2005, p. 73.

[ap_toggle title=”READ MORE” status=”close”]“Its disassociated status allows those governed to generally continue with what they were doing, while those governing can “enforce without enforcing.” The symbolic nature of such an outcome represents an institutional compromise and often features a lower level of conflict.” In: Peter Ho, Unmaking China’s Development: Function and Credibility of Institutions, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2017, p. 204.[/ap_toggle]

 

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