ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that the complexity stems from the relevance of local agency in institution-building processes and suggests that understanding local agency is the key for understanding what is happening in Ensminger’s “internal box” of institutions, organization, ideology and bargaining power. Local agency as referred to in the constitutionality approach by T. Haller et al. requires understanding the different views, motivations and power assets the actors bring to the negotiation table and how discussions are guided and decisions taken. Ideologies, knowledge, communication and leadership skills may be used as power assets influencing the outcomes. These assets may be transformed to bargaining power to bring about institutional change, but may also legitimize the persistence of existing rules. The milk-producing farmers used ideology to legitimize their decision and took advantage of their remaining power to outvote the others. The renovation of the alp infrastructure took place in 1999.
