1. POLI 112 POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS
Session 2 – Definition, Nature and Functions of Institutions
Lecturer: Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO, Department of Political Science, UG

2. Defining Institutions
Institutions comprise norms, regulations and laws that establish the ‘rules of the game’ (Diamond, 1995).
Rules that serves as a guide to the behaviour of individuals and groups so that their actions become more predictable to others.
Organizations are not necessarily synonymous with institutions
The deciding factor is whether there are rules
Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO, Dept of Political Science, UG

3. Types of Institutions Formal and informal institutions
Informal institutions also referred to as dysfunctional rules
Examples of Formal institutions include:
laws
contracts
Constitutions
Electoral rules
Separation of Powers .
Dr. R.E.V GYAMPO, Dept of Political Science, UG

4. Types of Institutions Informal institutions also include:
Norms, Customs and Conventions
Patron-Client Relations
Spousal Relations
Old-Boyism
Ethnic cleavages
Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG

5. The Characteristics/ Central argument of institutionalism
There should be rules
The rules should be well known
The rules must be enforced
The rules must be internalized
The rules must be predictable
Dr. R.E.V GYAMPO, Dept of Political Science

6. What are Political Institutions and types
Political institutions are those state institutions that have a direct bearing in the conduct of government and politics.
They may be traditional like chieftaincy
Dr. R.E.V, GYAMPO, Dept of Political Science, UG

7. What are Political Institutions and types Contd’
Political institutions may also be modern such as the legislature, executive, judiciary, political parties etc
Dr. R.V.E GYAMPO, Dept of Political Science, UG

8. What are Political Institutions and types Contd’
Dr. R.E.V GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG

9. What are Political Institutions and types
Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG

10. The Role of Political Institutions
Shaping social relations
Avoiding uncertainties
Restraining the exercise of power
Predicting the outcome of Political Action
Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG

11. Making Political Institutions Effective
Political institutions in many African countries are weak, ineffective or moribund
There may be fine rules that are expected to govern the activities of these institutions
Nevertheless, the rules are simply kept on the shelves to gather dust- THEY ARE NOT IMPLEMENTED
Political institutions can only be made effective when the “rules of the game” are allowed to work without fear or favour; internalized and made predictable.
Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG

12. Reading list
Gyampo, R.E.V. The state of Political Institutions in Ghana, (Saarbrucken, Germany: Lambert Academic Publishing Inc. 2012) pp 1-50
March, J. and Olsen, J. “Elaborating the new Institutionalism”, In Rhodes, R.A W; Binder, S.A. and Rockman, B.A. The Oxford Handbook of Political Institutions (New York: Oxford University Press, 2006).pp 3-22
Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG

13. Reading List See suggested reading list in modules and Study guide
The following are however essential:
Gyampo, R.E.V. The state of Political Institutions in Ghana, (Saarbrucken, Germany: Lambert Academic Publishing Inc. 2012)
Rhodes, R.A W; Binder, S.A. and Rockman, B.A. The Oxford Handbook of Political Institutions (New York: Oxford University Press, 2006).
Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG

14. Concluding Remark
Brace yourself for Lecture 2 which delves into the nature and scope of institutions
THANK YOU
Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG