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Is Institutional Change in Forms of American Local Government Functional, Isomorphic, or Path Dependent?

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  • Cheon Geun Choi
  • Bok-Tae Kim

Abstract

American cities are born, change, and, sometimes, disappear. What are the sources of institutional change? One conception of institutional change focuses on the functional process of social institutions. The other emphasizes the nonfunctional processes such as institutional isomorphism and path dependence. In this paper, we explore under what circumstances American cities change their form of government. The authors suggest seven hypotheses based upon functional and nonfunctional explanations, and test these hypotheses using the probit model with a decennial panel data set spanning 350 American cities from 1940 to 2000. Particularly, in order to test the hypothesis concerning institutional isomorphism, we measure the distance between cities using GIS techniques. Not surprisingly, all three explanations get empirical support from the study.

Suggested Citation

  • Cheon Geun Choi & Bok-Tae Kim, 2009. "Is Institutional Change in Forms of American Local Government Functional, Isomorphic, or Path Dependent?," International Review of Public Administration, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 14(1), pages 51-66, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:rrpaxx:v:14:y:2009:i:1:p:51-66
    DOI: 10.1080/12294659.2009.10805147
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kessel, John H., 1962. "Governmental Structure and Political Environment: A Statistical Note about American Cities," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 56(3), pages 615-620, September.
    2. Gary Miller, 1985. "Progressive reform as induced institutional preferences," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 47(1), pages 163-181, January.
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