Final answer:
The relationship between institutions, culture, and geography is complex and interdependent. Institutions can be shaped by culture and geography, while also influencing these aspects of society. Example include the development of monoculture in agriculture and the economic systems of different countries.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks whether institutions are determined by culture or geography, or if culture determines institutions. When considering the nature of institutions and their interactions with culture and geography, it becomes clear that there is a dynamic relationship between them. While institutions often shape culture by setting social norms and practices, geography can dictate the development of both cultural and economic institutions. Cultures can, in turn, develop and modify institutions based on values, beliefs, and practices.
For example, in societies with diverse agricultural practices, the development of mechanical agriculture led to monoculture, which then influenced social changes and environmental effects such as increased use of pesticides and soil erosion. Similarly, the geography of a region, with its climate and natural resources, played an essential role in shaping early human societies from nomadic tribes to settled agricultural communities, which then facilitated the development of institutions that governed their economic and social practices.
Moreover, the differences in economic institutions among countries, whether market-oriented or command economies, and their openness to international trade, as well as political, religious, and social differences, demonstrate how institutions can be shaped by both cultural and geographical influences, and in turn, shape these elements of society. Ultimately, it suggests that the relationship between geography, culture, and institutions is complex and interdependent.