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The institutional matrices of society

Svetlana G. Kirdina

Department of Sociology,

Institute of Economics and Industrial Engineering,

Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch

630090 Russia

Novosibirsk

17, Av. Lavrentiev

(7) 3832 – 300-535 (tel.)

(7) 3832 – 302-580 (fax.)

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institutional matrices, social system, concept of society

The main idea is to present the authors' hypothesis about two equitable
institutional models of society, i.e. by their institutional matrices.

The focus of the analysis is basic institutions, which regulate the reproduction of society as a social system. Regulating of key subsystems of the society – economy, politics and ideology – is the function of basic institutions. The system of basic institutions generates the institutional matrix of a society. X- and Y-institutional matrices have been singled out.

The Х-matrix is characterized by a system of interconnected institutions of redistribution economy, unitary (unitary-centralized) political system, and ideology of communitarism. Russia, China, and many South-Eastern Asia countries are the examples with domination of X-matrix.

The Y-matrix is characterized by a system of interconnected institutions of market economy, federative political structure, and ideology of subsidiarity. Most European countries and USA are characterized by domination of this matrix.

Institutional matrices are formed historically and ensure societal integrity and possibilities for progressive development of states under material and technological conditions in the area of their origination. Their inevitable co-existence secures a balance in the global world and, at the same time, implies different directions of social evolution for each of the two types of societies.