Moral progress refers to the evolution of ethical norms and practices that reduce harm and promote cooperation. Institutions play a key role in this by formalizing rules and mechanisms to address conflict non-violently. For example:

1. Legal Systems: Replace vigilante justice with impartial adjudication, reducing the need for scapegoating.
2. Democratic Governance: Allow for peaceful resolution of competing interests through dialogue and compromise.
3. Human Rights Frameworks: Establish universal principles that protect individuals from collective violence.
4. Economic and Social Policies: Address inequalities that often fuel mimetic rivalries, reducing the conditions for conflict.

These institutions reflect humanity’s capacity to transcend Girard’s cyclical violence by creating structures that channel competition and desire into constructive, rather than destructive, outcomes.