Rational Choice and Politics: A Critical Introduction (Critical Political Studies S.)

Stephen Parsons

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0826477224 ISBN 13: 9780826477224

Publisher: Continuum, 2005

Rational Choice Theory claims to be able to explain how all individuals make not just some of their choices, but all of their choices, all of the time. According to the theory, there is no difference in principle between choosing whether to buy apples rather than bananas or choosing whether to join a political revolution instead of staying at home and watching television. Given these claims to universal applicability, it is perhaps not surprising to find that over the last three or four decades Rational Choice Theory has become increasingly influential as a means of providing explanations in politics. The textbook introduces the premises of Rational Choice Theory and illustrates how this theory can be applied to political studies. The book concludes with an assessment of the usefulness of the model in the light of the problems highlighted. - "Parson's book provides a lucid presentation and a cogent critique of Rational Choice Theory in economics and politics" Professor Steve Pressman, Department of Economics and Finance, Monmouth University, USA

Review:

"Parson's book provides a lucid presentation and a cogent critique of Rational Choice Theory in economics and politics."

"Parson's book provides a lucid presentation and a cogent critique of Rational Choice Theory in economics and politics." Professor Steve Pressman, Department of Economics and Finance, Monmouth University, USA --Sanford Lakoff

Synopsis:

Rational Choice Theory (RCT) claims to be able to explain not just how some individuals make choices, but how all individuals make choices. It also claims to explain how all individuals make not just some of their choices, but all of their choices. According to the theory, there is no difference in principle between choosing whether to buy apples rather than bananas, or choosing whether to join a political revolution instead of staying at home and watching television. Given these claims to universal applicability, it is perhaps not surprising that over the last three or four decades rational choice theory (RCT) has become increasingly influential as a means of providing explanations in politics. The textbook introduces the premises of Rational Choice Theory and illustrates how this theory can be applied to politics studies. The book concludes with an assessment of the usefulness of the model in the light of the problems highlighted.