The discipline of public administration and public policy currently show a renaissance of research in which explicit attention is paid to political institutions. This text offers both a theoretical overview and a set of applications using this approach. The theoretical overview brings together insights from economics, political science, sociology and the study of law to provide a framework to better understand political institutions and the ways in which institutions can be analyzed. In addition, this volume presents various applications of this perspective in the context of Western European politics and the making of public policy. The book should be of interest to students of public administrations and public policy, and related fields. It may also be of relevance to those who have an interest in political decision making in Europe.
