'''Institutions''' are [[structures]] and [[mechanisms]] of social order and [[cooperation]] governing the [[behavior]] of a set of [[individuals]] within a given [[human]] [[collectivity]]. Institutions are identified with a social [[purpose]] and permanence, [[transcending]] [[individual]] human lives and [[intentions]], and with the making and enforcing of rules governing cooperative human behavior. The term "institution" is commonly applied to [[customs]] and [[behavior]] [[patterns]] important to a [[society]], as well as to particular [[formal]] [[organizations]] of government and public [[service]]. As structures and mechanisms of social order among humans, institutions are one of the principal objects of [[study]] in the [[social sciences]], including [[sociology]], [[political science]], and [[economics]]. Institutions are a central concern for [[law]], the [[formal]] [[mechanism]] for political rule-making and enforcement. The [[creation]] and [[evolution]] of institutions is a primary [[topic]] for [[history]]. | '''Institutions''' are [[structures]] and [[mechanisms]] of social order and [[cooperation]] governing the [[behavior]] of a set of [[individuals]] within a given [[human]] [[collectivity]]. Institutions are identified with a social [[purpose]] and permanence, [[transcending]] [[individual]] human lives and [[intentions]], and with the making and enforcing of rules governing cooperative human behavior. The term "institution" is commonly applied to [[customs]] and [[behavior]] [[patterns]] important to a [[society]], as well as to particular [[formal]] [[organizations]] of government and public [[service]]. As structures and mechanisms of social order among humans, institutions are one of the principal objects of [[study]] in the [[social sciences]], including [[sociology]], [[political science]], and [[economics]]. Institutions are a central concern for [[law]], the [[formal]] [[mechanism]] for political rule-making and enforcement. The [[creation]] and [[evolution]] of institutions is a primary [[topic]] for [[history]]. |