The actions of identities, and the networks, and disciplines they generate, gives rise to more aggregated socialformations. One is style, a cross-cutting harmony of practices that operates without scale. Another is theinstitution, organized around constraining discursive forms White termed rhetorics. He also theorized regimesas balances between distinct domains of activity, enabling analysis of phenomena such as patriarchy,clientelism, or capitalism. Social formations shape and constrain attempts at action, producing obstacles butalso openings.