Author: Francesco Guala 

“Understanding Institutions” proposes a new unified theory of social institutions that combines the best insights of philosophers and social scientists who have written on this topic.

Francesco Guala presents a theory that combines the features of three influential views of institutions: as equilibria of strategic games, as regulative rules, and as constitutive rules.

Guala explains key institutions like money, private property, and marriage, and develops a much-needed unification of equilibrium- and rules-based approaches.

Although he uses game theory concepts, the theory is presented in a simple, clear style that is accessible to a wide audience of scholars working in different fields.