As we all know, the new institutionalism is a multi-directional theoretical school with no internal consistency. The three new institutionalism under the name of new institutionalism have little in common except unanimously emphasizing the importance of the system, and they have developed independently. Therefore, there are obvious differences between rational choice institutionalism and historical institutionalism.

1. Different research levels and methods.

Historical institutionalism pays attention to the macro, studies the system at the national level and adopts induction, while rational choice institutionalism studies the system at the individual level and adopts deduction.

2. Different attitudes towards time.

Historical institutionalism is historical. They believe that political development must be understood as a process that develops with time, while rational choice institutionalism does not pay special attention to time. The system can be historical or just formed, as long as it is the result of rational choice.

3. Different understandings of the relationship between institution and preference.

Historical institutionalism holds that institutions shape people's preferences, and institutions are the result of historical evolution, while rational choice institutionalism holds that preferences are the starting point, their sources are not important, preferences determine institutions, and the basis of institutional existence is to benefit most people.

4. Different understandings of institutional change mechanism.

Rational choice institutionalism focuses on the re-evaluation of the system by individuals under the influence of external environment changes or internal learning, while historical institutionalism emphasizes the influence of these changes on the power balance of politics, social organizations or groups.