Abstract The development of Rational Choice Theory in the 20th century arose out of economic theory. Through such thinkers as Homans, Blau and Coleman it has emerged as an important school of thought. The theory focuses upon the rational calculations carried out by individuals guided by self-interest. Post-modernism, another contemporary theory, is in many ways in friction with rational choice theory, for the fundamental capitalist drive espoused by rational choice is seen as nothing but a social construct by the post-modern tradition. Alfred Schutz, a twentieth century phenomenologist, reconciles these two strains of thought to some degree by bringing up the notion of individual perception which encompasses both the social constructs and the drive for self-interest.
Abstract The paper examines the subject of school choice. After quantifying what school choice is, the paper discusses whether this should be accepted by the legislature, by schools and by parents and whether it is the best decision for children. The paper further analyses how it affects the way children learn. A further question of whether school choice will result in needy children or children from minorities being segregated, as this could mean they attend schools with little funding and few opportunities, is addressed.
From the Paper "Choice is everywhere in American education" (School Choice Facts). When a person stops to think about school choice, he or she will realize that school choice is quite common to every parent. Parents decide where they want their children to go to school and move into the residential areas where those schools are located (School Choice Facts). Sometimes this means paying high costs of rent, but it is worth it to the parents. Some parents make the decision whether to send their children to private school. This means that parents decide the cost of the private school is worth paying fees, books, and other costs. Some parents decide to home school and mothers often decide not to work so they can teach their children at home. All of these involve school choice. School choice is not new. Different countries have tried programs similar to what the U.S. calls school choice."
Abstract This paper reviews the concept of rational choice which suggests that the individual has the ability to make decisions after contemplation of all areas of concern, and that choice is based on free will. Kant's view in relation to Adam and Eve supports this notion. However, Freud's interpretation of rationality in relation to mankind suggests that natural forces lead man to make decisions and that he is compelled by these forces which involve no rationalization whatsoever. This paper discusses how these contrasting views provide theories on human existence and what leads man to make choices that will affect his life and the lives of others.
Abstract This paper briefly reviews the choices made by a character in Virgil's Aeneid - specifically, the Trojan king Priam. The writer discusses that as becomes apparent, Priam makes two choices - the first to not kill Sinon, the second to interpret the death of Laocoon as a warning from the gods that the Trojan horse should be permitted inside Troy - that lead to the sacking of his city and to his own demise.
From the Paper "All human affairs are, of course, about choice. Virgil's 'Aeneid', the classic telling of the founding of Rome by the Trojan prince Aeneas, is a great human drama that revolves, in large measure, around the choices human beings make - either by themselves or with the prodding of the Gods. This paper, in perhaps an unconventional departure, will focus upon the choices made by Priam in the final hours of his kingdom. Specifically, this paper will focus upon two choices made by the Trojan king that sealed his fate - and the fate of his city."
Abstract The paper identifies how one of the most significant problems facing public education in the West is a simple lack of choice. In the United States, especially, educational standardization is restricting and destroys the spirit of freedom on which educational inquiry must be based. The paper contends that a concerted effort to develop school choice programs would be the best means by which the educational system could be reformed.
From the Paper "How can educators expect students to actively engage in the process of learning when they're behavior is strictly monitored and controlled, their ability to question and probe outside of the curriculum severely limited? There are students who simply do not want to learn algebra but would leap out of bed everyday to work in a wood shop. Some students are drawn to the study of language or arts but can only engage this study so much before they are ushered into another classroom where students throw balls at one another."
Abstract In this paper, three different article about work choice initiatives in Australia are reviewed. These include 'Submission to the Senate Inquiry into the Workplace Relations Amendment (WorkChoices) Bill 2005', "Business Council of Australia ," "Workchoices: Myth Making At
Work." as it appeared in "Journal of Australian Political Economy" and finally "Workchoices and Women Workers." from the "Journal
of Australian Political Economy." The major ideas presented in each article are then compared and contrasted in a chart. The issues analyzed in the chart include the stand of work choice initiatives, views on external involvement in business processes, primary objectives, management reforms, and reform agenda. The paper gives a concise and well-organized review of the articles.
From the Paper "The authors primary focus is suggesting that national workplace relations systems should be developed that make modern workplace relations simpler to achieve. The authors suggest that industrial relations policies are often complex and that many arguments for changing policies bypass various complications associated with change including difficulties arising from change itself and industrial relations. It is important that government agents pay attention more to legislative factors including economic changes or changes in the structure of various markets and the role these factors have in shaping relations outcomes in the work environment. This study is also significant in that it enforces the need to introduce a single national industrial relations system, supports the removal of the Australian Fair Standards from inclusion in legislation, which include minimum standards for annual leave, sick leave and unpaid parental leave among others, suggests that a fair pay commission be established and works to reduce the total number of allowable matters with the intent of limiting the complexity of the award review process. "
Abstract This paper focuses on New Institutionalism and Rational Choice Theory as applied to public policy-making in the developed and developing world. The United States, the UK, and the Caribbean region are explored when most of the assumptions of the two theories are implemented in the respective policy environments. This paper is excellent for those wanting to understand fully the two aproaches and the various ways the behavior of policy factors in society can be explained and appraised. The paper shows how the force of the ideas and arguments behind these theories create opportunities and constraints for public policy-making in both the developed and developing world.
From the Paper "Central to the existence of any policy-making process must be the role of ideas and arguments. Rational Choice Theory and New Institutionalism both attempt to assess, appraise, and even distinguish between types of decision-making occurring within differing settings, circumstances, situations and among individuals, groups or institutional frameworks as the case may be. Interestingly though paradoxically, ideas and arguments are quite critical to policy-making from the point of view of both New Institutionalism and Rational Choice Theory, despite attempts in certain parts or variations of both Theories, to dismantle or downplay the role of both ideas and arguments, respectively, in selecting policy methods."
Abstract This paper examines some of the historical events, which are known as landmarks in American abortion history, and which have reshaped the pro-choice movements.
Abstract This paper discusses the concepts covered in this book as they apply to individual and organizational leadership. It explains that Kidder's concepts presented in the book apply to just about every aspect of life, but especially to individual and organizational leadership. The author encourages self-reflection when making tough choices, thereby developing basic values and a core sense of right versus wrong, which are sound tools for any leader.
From the Paper "Kidder's arguments in this book are bound with ethics and ethical choices. He believes the best choices, even the toughest ones, are based in ethics, rather than strict "right versus wrong," or management principles. Kidder outlines four pairs of problems, and that for any given ethical dilemma; one of the pairs will be dominant. They are: truth versus loyalty, the individual versus community, short-term versus long-term, and justice versus mercy (Kidder, 1995, pg. 18). One must analyze all facets of the problem, and often, more than one, or even all, of the pairs must be considered in analysis and successful completion of the problem. The author notes, "merely to analyze a dilemma - even to fit it into the above paradigms - is not to resolve it. Resolution requires us to choose which side is the nearest right for the circumstances. And that requires some principles for decision-making" (Kidder, 1995, pg. 23). That is another important aspect of Kidder's basic premise, that decision-making must be based on principles. If it is not, it is not only not effective, but it can be damaging to the individual and/or the organization."
Abstract This paper critiques an article by John Scott about Rational Choice Theory. It gives an overview of the theory and points out some of the areas where people have difficulty with the theory. The paper also looks at how the theory applies to the Criminal Justice System in the U.S.
From the Paper "John Scott's article on Rational Choice Theory gives a good overview and historical perspective of the theory and how psychologists from differing backgrounds have supported or criticized the theory..."
Abstract This paper examines the Public Choice Theory and deadweight loss as they apply to Indian economic history.
From the Paper "India's economic history has been a case study for economists of the Public Choice Theory school. The maxim held by all free market economists is that people are motivated mainly be their self-interests. Although people often do act based on their concern for other people the basic motive behind a person's actions is typically a concern for their own self. Public Choice theorists take this self interest and ascribe it to the people in power. Public Choice economists believe that people acting in the political marketplace are ..."
Tags: India, economic history, public choice theory, deadweight loss
Abstract The paper provides a brief definition of the rational choice theory and argues that the theory, while plausible, is far too laden with masculine, patriarchal assumptions to be an effective explanation for female crime. The paper shows how females have been constrained historically by patriarchal forces and concludes that this is sufficient proof that the theory functions better as an explanation for male criminal behavior than for female criminal behavior.
From the Paper "Simply put, rational choice theory holds that criminals are rational or "purposive" actors who calculate the relative benefits and costs of committing an act and make a decision which they believe will maximize the utility of their (criminal) actions. According to at least one online source, rational choice theory also posits that the alternatives available to any actor or group of actors is necessarily constrained by the environment and by the institutions within which they make their decisions. In the end, it appears as though rational choice theory posits that criminals select certain victims and/or certain types of crime because they feel the reward is sufficient to justify the risk or the risk is low enough that the "lure" of the reward becomes over-mastering (O'Connor 2005)."
Examines the technical and symbolical details of the fifth century mosaic "The Parting of Lot and Abraham", presently located in Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.
Abstract This paper hypothesizes that the mosaic "The Parting of Lot and Abraham" not only represents an important event in history but also explores the symbolism of the division between good and evil. The author first summarizes the biblical accounting to get a deeper appreciative of the figures involved in this event. The paper relates that the very direct and powerful composition of the mosaic is dominated by the foreground figures Lot and Abraham placed with a considerable gap between them, which emphasizes the irreversible decision for them to part: Abraham on the left moving towards Canaan and Lot in the opposite way, towards Sodom with his two daughters.
From the Paper "The mass behind the two figures which are placed in foreground is shown using dark contrasting colors and tones which have faded considerably over time. In fact, the mass of heads in the background is a common Roman art device suggesting that the division is not only between Lot and Abraham, but between two peoples, and ultimately, two moral categories, i.e. good and evil. The shading also gives a three dimensional effect to the mosaic, this being a highly characteristic quality of Roman art. Nonetheless, the illusion of spatial depth is reduced by the strong outline of the figures."
Abstract This paper explains that the most promising systemic educational reform plan involves school choice, a school system that allows parents to select which school their children attend, thus giving parents the freedom to move their children out of ineffective schools while at the same time motivating the ineffective schools to improve. The author stresses that the government should only open the school choice program to families who 1) demonstrate economic need and 2) whose children would be assigned to an inadequate public school. The paper states that an effective educational system based on choice must include religious schools among the choice options.
Table of Contents
The Significance of Education
School Reform Efforts
School Finance Reform
Reform Plans Involving Forms of School Choice Inter-district Transfer Plans and Controlled Choice School Choice Systems in Milwaukee and Cleveland
Barriers to Choice-based Education Reform
Legal Obstacles to School Choice A Pyrrhic Desegregation Policy
Political Barriers to School Reform
Conclusion: Constructing a Feasible School Choice System
Overcoming Legal Barriers
Religious "Choice" Schools
Designing a School Choice System
Targeted Participation
Maximum Number of Available Options
Funding School Choice The Choice Process
Evaluating a School Choice System
From the Paper "Ironically, reform efforts to ensure equal educational opportunity have faced opposition from interests pursuing a strict desegregation enforcement policy. Some of these proponents of a strict desegregation policy have confused the means with the ends in providing for equal education through the desegregation doctrine established in Brown. The reasoning by the Court in "Brown" implied that the purpose of integration was to ensure that racial minorities received an equal educational opportunity: "We come then to the question presented: Does segregation of children in public schools solely on the basis of race, even though the physical facilities and other "tangible" factors may be equal, deprive the children of the minority group of equal educational opportunities?" This implies that equal "tangible" factors are necessary elements of an equal educational opportunity."
