Institution: The Control of Social Perception—Toward a Theory of Minority-Directed Institutional Change
Abstract
This dissertation seeks to make progress toward a theory of minority-directed
institutional change. It begins with a review of research on urban sociology and how,
despite tremendous technological and legal change, the fact of institutional racism
remains. It then reviews relevant portions of Original Institutional Economics (OIE) thought
describing the relationship between individuals and institutions, ending with an OIE theory
of institutional change. It then shows how a theory of human psychology, Perceptual
Control Theory (PCT) is largely analogous to OIE while also helping to clarify and update
some portions of it. Extending PCT into the social realm and combining it with some
insights from both neuroscience and network science enables the development of a more
complete understanding of institution formation. This helps explain why institutional
change is so difficult, why efforts to change institutions must focus on changing social
perceptions, and how a powerless minority might more successfully do just that. Though
the case studied here is institutional racism, all purposeful social change inevitably begins
with those whose opinion is initially in the minority. Therefore, a successful theory of
minority-directed institutional change could be applied to a wide variety of other issues,
including global climate change and appropriate policy-setting for modern monetary
economies, where those recommending potential solutions are actively opposed by
entrenched and powerful interests.
Table of Contents
Introduction -- Review of literature -- Integrating PCT with OIE -- Toward a control theory of minority-directed institutional change -- Summary, conclusion and future research
Degree
Ph.D.