Institutional Change in Historical Contexts: Introducing the Special Issue in Honor of Gerhard Wegner

This article introduces into the special issue on institutional change in historical contexts that has been compiled in honor of Gerhard Wegner. The special issue contains eight contributions by long-time companions of the honoree. The eight contributions collected in this special issue address central questions at the intersection of institutions, economic order, and socio-economic development. They explore how institutional frameworks emerge, evolve, and interact with economic performance, drawing on perspectives from economic history, political economy, and the history of economic thought. Several articles emphasize the non-linear and context-dependent relationship between markets, democracy, and institutional change, while others highlight the role of norms, morality, and methodological reflection in shaping economic analysis. Empirical and historical case studies complement these conceptual discussions by illustrating how agency and policy reforms influence institutional transformation and economic outcomes. Taken together, the contributions build on, strengthen, and advance Gerhard Wegner’s nuanced, interdisciplinary understanding of institutions as key drivers of economic order and long-term development.