How did Elinor Ostrom study institutional diversity?
I approached the study of institutions by meticulously gathering empirical evidence from a wide array of real-world cases – from local irrigation systems and fisheries to forests and grazing lands across different cultures and geographical locations. My method was akin to a detective's, piecing together the specific rules, norms, and social structures that enabled or hindered collective action and resource management. This grounded approach allowed me to identify patterns and principles without relying on abstract, universal models.
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