Abstract
Abstract In considering patriarchy as potentially institutional and as a characteristic also of contemporary Western societies, a fundamental issue concerns how to make sense of largely informal institutions to begin with. Traditional accounts of institutions have often focused on formalized ones. It is argued here, however, that the principal idea behind one commonly accepted conception of institutions can be developed in a way that better facilitates an explication of informal institutions. When applied to the phenomenon of patriarchy, such an approach can then also allow us to ontologically make sense of gray areas and hierarchies of authority, as well as the intersectionality of social positions.
Highlights
In considering patriarchy as potentially institutional and as a characteristic of contemporary Western societies, a fundamental issue concerns how to make sense of largely informal institutions to begin with
Traditional accounts of institutions have often focused on formalized ones
That the principal idea behind one commonly accepted conception of institutions can be developed in a way that better facilitates an explication of informal institutions
Summary
On what is arguably the most common understanding of institutions, they govern which moves that are open to whom and when. This is not to say that these are bona fide rights and duties, that John and Jack are in a deep sense entitled to behaving in these ways, but that the expectations involved can be understood as deontic in character Another version of the worry is that while there are normative expectations involved here, they should be understood in terms of norms instead. A single norm might be particular to some quite specific set of actions, but if we ask if a society is patriarchal, we are asking about how patterns for many different types of behavior are similar enough in character so that they add up to something systemic This aspect of institutions is stressed by Hodgson Rules, lest we risk ending up with an overly narrow conception of the domain of justice and of what can be proper objects of political interventions.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
