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Conceptualizing Continuity and Change

Author

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  • Taylor C. Boas

    (Department of Political Science, University of California, 210 Barrows, Berkeley, CA 94720–1950, USA tboas@berkeley.edu)

Abstract

Political scientists studying institutional development face the challenge of accounting for both continuity and change over time. Models of path dependence based on increasing returns, inspired by the example of the QWERTY typewriter keyboard, have played an important role in the analysis of institutional continuity, but they have been criticized for their inability to accommodate change. In this article I present an alternative model of path dependence inspired by the example of the Internet, a technology that has changed fundamentally since its invention. The composite-standard model of path dependence illustrates how complex political institutions subject to increasing returns can evolve gradually over time through a changing mix of lower-level component parts. By incorporating mechanisms of institutional change, such as conversion and layering, within an increasing returnsbased theoretical framework, the composite-standard model highlights new interconnections among these previously distinct processes and offers new insights into the nature of long-term political change.

Suggested Citation

  • Taylor C. Boas, 2007. "Conceptualizing Continuity and Change," Journal of Theoretical Politics, , vol. 19(1), pages 33-54, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jothpo:v:19:y:2007:i:1:p:33-54
    DOI: 10.1177/0951629807071016
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bar, François & Cohen, Stephen S & Cowhey, Peter & DeLong, Bradford J & Kleeman, Michael & Zysman, John, 2000. "Access and Innovation Policy for the Third-Generation Internet," UCAIS Berkeley Roundtable on the International Economy, Working Paper Series qt7pq073h7, UCAIS Berkeley Roundtable on the International Economy, UC Berkeley.
    2. Thelen,Kathleen, 2004. "How Institutions Evolve," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521837682, September.
    3. Paul A. David, 2001. "The Evolving Accidental Information Super-Highway," Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Oxford University Press and Oxford Review of Economic Policy Limited, vol. 17(2), pages 159-187, Summer.
    4. Bar, François & Cohen, Stephen & Cowhey, Peter & DeLong, Brad & Kleeman, Michael & Zysman, John, 2000. "Access and innovation policy for the third-generation internet," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 24(6-7), pages 489-518, August.
    5. Bar, François & Cohen, Stephen S & Cowhey, Peter & DeLong, Bradford J & Kleeman, Michael & Zysman, John, 2000. "Access and Innovation Policy for the Third-Generation Internet," Department of Economics, Working Paper Series qt7pq073h7, Department of Economics, Institute for Business and Economic Research, UC Berkeley.
    6. Thelen,Kathleen, 2004. "How Institutions Evolve," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521546744, September.
    7. Colin Crouch & Henry Farrell, 2004. "Breaking the Path of Institutional Development? Alternatives to the New Determinism," Rationality and Society, , vol. 16(1), pages 5-43, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Beatriz García Osma & Ana Gisbert & Elena Heras Cristóbal, 2017. "Public oversight systems for statutory auditors in the European Union," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 44(3), pages 517-552, December.

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