Journal of Economic Literature
ISSN 0022-0515 (Print) | ISSN 2328-8175 (Online)
Culture, Institutions, and Social Equilibria: A Framework
Journal of Economic Literature
vol. 63,
no. 2, June 2025
(pp. 637–92)
Abstract
This paper proposes a new framework for studying the interplay between culture and institutions. We interpret culture as a repertoire, consisting of (cultural) attributes and allowing rich cultural responses to political changes. Combinations of attributes produce cultural configurations, which provide social meaning, coordination, and political justification. Our framework has several distinctive features. First, it proposes a "systems approach" to culture: the meaning and function of attributes are determined within the whole configuration and political equilibrium. Second, it emphasizes discontinuous or "saltational" changes in culture鈥攔ather than gradual, evolutionary changes鈥攁s attributes are reconnected and acquire new meanings in response to evolving circumstances and as outcomes in ongoing "cultural struggles." Third, our frame work puts the spotlight on how fluidly different cultures can respond to conditions, depending on the nature of their attributes and constraints on their connections. Finally, it enriches the study of the codetermination of political, institutional and cultural outcomes.Citation
Acemoglu, Daron, and James A. Robinson. 2025. "Culture, Institutions, and Social Equilibria: A Framework." Journal of Economic Literature 63 (2): 637–92. DOI: 10.1257/jel.20241680Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- D02 Institutions: Design, Formation, Operations, and Impact
- D72 Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
- E02 Institutions and the Macroeconomy
- N30 Economic History: Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy: General, International, or Comparative
- N40 Economic History: Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation: General, International, or Comparative
- Z10 Cultural Economics; Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology: General