What is an institution?
Q: What is an institution?
A: An institution is a social structure in which people cooperate and which influences the behavior of people and the way they live. It has a purpose, rules, and can enforce rules of human behavior.
Q: How can the word "institution" be used?
A: The word "institution" can be used in two ways - it can mean a very broad idea or a very specific (narrow) one.
Q: What are some important institutions?
A: Some important institutions include marriage, education, kinship, religion, law, trade, defence.
Q: Are there societies with many specific institutions?
A: Yes, some societies have many specific institutions such as organised government, schools, hospitals, churches clubs etc.
Q: Are there societies with few specific institutions?
A: Yes, some societies have very few of these things but this does not mean that there are no 'institutions'. The way in which the people relate to each other may have just as many controls as in a society with schools markets and government.
Q: How do historians use institutions?
A: Historians look at institutions to find differences between eras or periods and sometimes judge political and military events by their effect on institutions.
