Many, perhaps most, sociological concepts are derived from an existing commonsensical image, adapted to meet the requirements of the discipline. In commonsense usage the term institutions has various meanings. Most commonly it is used to refer to...

1. An organization. 2. A patterned and socially regulated form of behaviour. 3. A total institution is a closed organization, such as a...

see economic...

Institutions are structures and mechanisms of social order and cooperation governing the behavior of two or more individuals. Institutions are identified with a social purpose and permanence, transcending individual human lives and intentions, and with...