An Introduction to Governance and Institutions

The discipline of ’Governance and Institution’ explores the concept of governing, the authority conferred on rulers to establish, enforce, and modify rules. Understanding governance involves identifying the rules, the rulers, and the various processes through which rulers are elected, defined, and connected to society as a whole.Governance is inseparable from institutions, as the process cannot be complete without their involvement. Institutions are persistent structures or mechanisms of social order that govern the behavior of individuals within a community. These structures are typically associated with a social purpose, transcending individual intentions and mediating the rules that regulate collective behavior.Governance and institutions are so interrelated that it is nearly impossible to discuss one without referencing the other.