Measuring design diversity: A new application of Ostrom's rule types

We draw on the Institutional Grammar Tool's rule types to empiricallyanalyze the design of four major procedural regulatoryinstruments in the 27 member states of the European Union andthe UK. They are: consultation, regulatory impact assessment,freedom of information, and the Ombudsman. By adopting theInstitutional Grammar Tool as conceptual lens we end up witha single measurement template applicable to a variety of actionsituations. We derive measures that are conceptually robust andsuitable for comparative analysis. With original data gathered onthe official legal base in the 28 cases, we carry out principal componentsanalysis. We identify design patterns across countriesand instruments; the specialization of each instrument in termsof rule type; and the components that best explain cross-countryvariation. In the conclusions we argue that to reframe the designfeatures of the four instruments in conceptual, theoreticalcategories is not simply a taxonomical exercise but it extends tothe territory of comparative policy analysis, practice and reform