Rational Choice

1
Rational Choice

• A methodological movement using formal
  mathematical logic to deduce conclusions from the
  assumption that persons act rationally.

2
Rational Choice

• Assuming that political actors act rationally
  assumes the following
• (1) actors have a defined and ordered set of
  priorities. For example, personal gain trumps
  public good.
• (2) persons act in a way to achieve those
  priorities.

3
Rational Choice

• Prisoners Dilemma
• http//plato.stanford.edu/entries/prisoner-dilem
  ma/

4
Rational Choice

• Paradox of Collective Action
• http//plato.stanford.edu/entries/free-rider/

5
Rational Choice

• Arrows Possibility Theorem and the Median Voter
• http//www2.chass.ncsu.edu/garson/PA765/socialcho
  ice.htm

6
Rational Choice

• Downs, Anthony. 1957 An Economic Theory of
  Democracy. New York.
• http//www.jstor.org/view/00030554/di960909/96p002
  22/0

7
Rational Choice

• Critics
• Green, Donald, and Ian Shapiro. 1994.
  Pathological of Rational Choice Theory.
• New Haven Yale University Press.
• cult
• dubious assumptions
• oversimplifications