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Media as a Mechanism of Institutional Change and Reinforcement

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  • Christopher J. Coyne
  • Peter T. Leeson

Abstract

We argue that mass media is a mechanism of institutional evolution and identify three important effects media has on institutions. The ‘gradual effect’ involves media contributing to marginal changes in existing institutions. The ‘punctuation effect’ involves media catalyzing rapid institutional overhaul. The ‘reinforcement effect’ involves media contributing to the durability and sustainability of punctuated institutional equilibria. Our analysis identifies a paradoxical relationship between mass media and institutions wherein media both changes and reinforces existing institutions. This finding resolves a tension in the institutional literature that defines institutions by their durability but recognizes we observe (sometimes rapid and radical) institutional change. Case studies from the collapse of communism in Poland and Russia illustrate our argument.

Suggested Citation

  • Christopher J. Coyne & Peter T. Leeson, 2009. "Media as a Mechanism of Institutional Change and Reinforcement," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 62(1), pages 1-14, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:kyklos:v:62:y:2009:i:1:p:1-14
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-6435.2009.00421.x
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    13. Peter Leeson & Christopher Coyne, 2007. "The reformers’ dilemma: media, policy ownership, and reform," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 23(3), pages 237-250, June.
    14. Christopher J. Coyne & Peter T. Leeson, 2004. "Read All About It! Understanding the Role of Media in Economic Development," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 57(1), pages 21-44, February.
    15. repec:wvu:wpaper:06-03 is not listed on IDEAS
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    2. David Bartolini & Agnese Sacchi & Domenico Scalera & Alberto Zazzaro, 2023. "Voters’ Distance, Information Bias and Politicians’ Salary," Italian Economic Journal: A Continuation of Rivista Italiana degli Economisti and Giornale degli Economisti, Springer;Società Italiana degli Economisti (Italian Economic Association), vol. 9(2), pages 637-664, July.
    3. Russell S. Sobel & Nabamita Dutta & Sanjukta Roy, 2010. "Beyond Borders: Is Media Freedom Contagious?," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 63(1), pages 133-143, February.
    4. Leonardo S. Fiorelli, 2012. "Failures in the Strategic Development Process: Ontology, Axiology and Intra‐Organizational Behavioral Limits to Social Becoming," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(3), pages 274-284, May.
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    6. Stephan Bohn & Peter Walgenbach, 2017. "Refusing, connecting, and playing off conflicting institutional demands: a longitudinal study on the organizational handling of the end of nuclear power, climate protection, and the energy turnaround ," Chapters, in: Georg Krücken & Carmelo Mazza & Renate E. Meyer & Peter Walgenbach (ed.), New Themes in Institutional Analysis, chapter 7, pages 162-193, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    7. Peter VON STADEN & KAWAMURA Satoshi, 2016. "The Telling of Japan's "Lost Decade": A comparison with the narration of the U.S. and EU crises," Discussion papers 16042, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    8. Randall G. Holcombe, 2018. "Checks and Balances: Enforcing Constitutional Constraints," Economies, MDPI, vol. 6(4), pages 1-12, October.
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    10. Nabamita Dutta & Sanjukta Roy, 2013. "The changing face of culture: gauging the impact of a free media," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 36(1), pages 95-115, August.
    11. Adam Martin & Diana Thomas, 2013. "Two-tiered political entrepreneurship and the congressional committee system," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 154(1), pages 21-37, January.
    12. Papaioannou, Sotiris, 2018. "Does education affect economic liberty? The role of information and the media," MPRA Paper 87417, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 16 Jun 2018.
    13. Dutta, Nabamita & Williamson, Claudia R., 2016. "Can foreign aid free the press?," Journal of Institutional Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 12(3), pages 603-621, September.
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    15. Christian Bjørnskov & Andreas Freytag, 2016. "An offer you can’t refuse: murdering journalists as an enforcement mechanism of corrupt deals," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 167(3), pages 221-243, June.
    16. Boettke, Peter J. & Coyne, Christopher J. & Leeson, Peter T., 2013. "Comparative historical political economy," Journal of Institutional Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 9(3), pages 285-301, September.
    17. William F. Shughart & Diana W. Thomas & Michael D. Thomas, 2020. "Institutional Change and the Importance of Understanding Shared Mental Models," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 73(3), pages 371-391, August.
    18. Alejandro Castañeda & César Martinelli, 2018. "Politics, entertainment and business: a multisided model of media," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 174(3), pages 239-256, March.
    19. Christopher L. Ambrey & Christopher M. Fleming & Matthew Manning & Christine Smith, 2016. "On the Confluence of Freedom of the Press, Control of Corruption and Societal Welfare," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 128(2), pages 859-880, September.
    20. Peter T. Leeson & Andrea M. Dean, 2009. "The Democratic Domino Theory: An Empirical Investigation," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 53(3), pages 533-551, July.
    21. Olaf J. de Groot, 2011. "Spillovers of Institutional Change in Africa," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 64(3), pages 410-426, August.
    22. Ерзнкян Баграт Айкович, 2017. "Институциональное Усиление: Три Типа Отношений," Journal of Institutional Studies Journal of Institutional Studies (Журнал институциональных исследований), CyberLeninka;Общество с ограниченной ответственностью «Гуманитарные перспективы», vol. 9(1), pages 27-38.
    23. Eiji Yamamura, 2012. "Effect of Free Media on Views Regarding Nuclear Energy after the Fukushima Accident," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 65(1), pages 132-141, February.
    24. Makmun Syadullah, 2015. "Governance and Tax Revenue in Asean Countries," Journal of Social and Development Sciences, AMH International, vol. 6(2), pages 76-88.

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