What is an institution?

An institution refers to an influential organization within a community that plays a significant role in shaping social, economic, and political interactions. Institutions can include organizations like schools, churches, governments, and non-profits, which establish norms and practices that influence behavior and societal structure. They are foundational to the functioning of a society because they help to organize and regulate various aspects of communal life.

In the context of the other options, while a political party and a type of government both represent structured ways of organizing power and governance, they are more specific forms of institutions rather than the broad definition. A physical infrastructure project, such as a bridge or road, is a tangible result of planning and development but does not fit the broader definition of an institution as it does not inherently serve the purpose of guiding behavior or societal structure.