Institucije

Institucije are enduring structures that organize social life by guiding behavior and coordinating collective action. They include formal organizations, such as governments, courts, schools, and corporations, as well as the rules, norms, and practices that persist over time. By providing stable expectations, distributing resources, and clarifying authority, institutions reduce uncertainty and enable cooperation.

Institucije can be understood as both formal and informal, public and private, national and international. Formal public institutions include legislatures, executive agencies, and the judiciary; private formal institutions include companies and regulatory bodies. Informal institutions consist of cultural norms, traditions, and professional codes of conduct.

The strength and legitimacy of institutions affect governance, economic performance, and social welfare. Effective institutions typically exhibit clear rules, accountability, transparency, and adaptability. Weak or captured institutions may suffer from corruption, inefficiency, or unequal influence. Institutional change is often gradual, yet it can be accelerated by reforms, technology, and social movements.

Institucije operate at multiple levels: local communities, nation-states, and international networks. The study of institutions—within political science, economics, sociology, and law—examines how rules, organizations, and norms shape incentives and outcomes.