ABSTRACT
Institutions, from the local to the global, are constructed, built out of raw materials such as beliefs, ideas, and values. Like the doors, windows, and walls of buildings, though, most of what we see is only the outward manifestations: the laws, regulations, treaties, procedures, and practices (see Chapters 8, 10, 12). Yet underlying these is a foundation: norms and principles (see Chapter 9). These too are constructed, and even easier to ignore; they are just there, down below, well hidden, the infrastructure that holds everything up because, we assume, it is well built, appropriate to the task of supporting the superstructure, the walls, floors, and roof. And, of course, we assume that altogether the infrastructure and superstructure will shelter the occupants well.
