Self-influence and self-reference are among the largely omitted, but quite substantial properties of thought systems in social sciences. These can have significant impact on the ways we can test such thought systems (theories), their applicability and reliability. This paper defines the basic...

Contents: Introduction / Claude Ménard and Mary M. Shirley -- Part I Government institutions -- 1. Collective action and government: still a mystery / Philip Keefer -- 2. What's next for the study of non-democracy? / Scott Gehlbach -- 3. The power and limits of federalism / Emilia Simison and...