Rational Choice Theory

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how the benefits of the rational choice theory in the field of political science has been a subject of much debate. The paper further discusses how those who use the rational choice model in analyzing politics use formal mathematical patterns in order to study their subject.

From the Paper:

"Another assumption is that the consensus in British society, and perhaps voter apathy, is an indication of widespread agreement about government and policy. This is not necessarily the case, as consensus could be that the government is not performing well, but that there is no better alternative. Pluralists see two types of constraint on the power of influential groups. One is that of counter-groups, such as the gun lobby and gun control groups in America. The other is that of potential groups, a mass of people unable to organise and mobilise, but which conceivably could, and so are included in policy making (Smith, 1990). Elitists would refute this assumption, claiming that no group can counter an elite, and that a potential elite would either be encompassed by the elite, if possessing the right qualities, or prevented from attaining elite status."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Becker, G. (1986) 'The Economic Approach to Human Behaviour' from Elster, J. (ed) Rational Choice (Oxford, Blackwell).
• Dahl, R. (1958) 'A Critique of the Ruling Elite Model' from The American Political Science Review, volume 52 pp. 463-469.
• Friedman, Milton., (1953) Essays in positive economics, University of Chicago Press: Chicago (USA)
• Luce, R. and Raiffa, H. (1957) Games and decisions: introduction and critical survey (New York, John Wiley).
• Marsh, D. and Stoker, G. (1995) Theory and Methods in Political Science 1st edition (Basingstoke, Macmillan).

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