THE DISPUTE REGARDING THE NATURE OF THE OBJECT OF IDEATIONAL RESEARCH

TENSIONS AND RELAXATIONS AMONG THE "NEW" NEO-INSTITUTIONALISMS

Abstract

This text examines the significance of institutions in politics, emphasizing various approaches to institutionalism within Political Science. Neo-institutionalist frameworks, such as discursive and constructivist institutionalism, place a strong emphasis on the role of ideas in political analysis, but are not always clearly defined in terms of their similarities and differences. A central concern is to avoid idealism while also acknowledging the value of non-materialistic perspectives. The discussion extends to the philosophy of Social Sciences, particularly in relation to ontology, epistemology, and methodology. The text seeks to address these issues, focusing on discursive and constructivist neo-institutionalisms. It highlights the centrality of ideas and discourse in discursive institutionalism and underscores the importance of the construction and interpretation of ideas by institutional actors in constructivist institutionalism.