Is Rational Choice Theory All Of Social Science

Author : Mark I. Lichbach
Publisher : University of Michigan Press
Page : 340 pages
File Size : 46,5 Mb
Release : 2009-12-11
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9780472024858

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Is Rational Choice Theory All of Social Science? by Mark I. Lichbach Pdf

Advocates of rational choice theory in political science have been perceived by their critics as attempting to establish an intellectual hegemony in contemporary social science, to the detriment of alternative methods of research. The debate has gained a nonacademic audience, hitting the pages of the New York Times and the New Republic. In the academy, the antagonists have expressed their views in books, journal articles, and at professional conferences. Mark I. Lichbach addresses the question of the place of rational choice theory in the social sciences in general and in political science in particular. He presents a typology of the antagonists as either rationalist, culturalist, or structuralist and offers an insightful examination of the debate. He reveals that the rationalist bid for hegemony and synthesis is rooted in the weaknesses, not the strengths, of rationalist thought. He concludes that the various theoretical camps are unlikely to accept the claimed superiority of the rationalist approach but that this opposition is of value in itself to the social sciences, which requires multiple perspectives to remain healthy. With its penetrating examination of the assumptions and basic arguments of each of the sides to this debate, this book cuts through the partisan rhetoric and provides an essential roadmap for the future of the discipline. Mark I. Lichbach is Professor of Government and Politics, University of Maryland.

Author : Hudson Meadwell
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 228 pages
File Size : 49,9 Mb
Release : 2017-10-19
Category : Social Science
ISBN : 9781351322874

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The Social Sciences and Rationality by Hudson Meadwell Pdf

In recent decades, rational choice theory has emerged as the single most powerful, controversial claimant to provide a unified, theoretical framework for all the social sciences. In its simplest form, the theory postulates that humans are purposive beings who pursue their goals in a rational, efficient manner, seeking the greatest benefit at the lowest cost. This volume brings together prominent scholars working in several social science disciplines and the philosophy of science to debate the promise and problems of rational choice theory. As rational choice theory has spread from its home base in economics to other disciplines, it has come under fierce criticism. To its critics, the extension of the explanatory model mistakenly assumes that the logic of economic rationality can explain non-economic behavior and, at its worst, commits the ethnocentric error of imposing Western concepts of rationality on non-Western societies and cultures. This volume includes strong advocates as well as forceful critics of the rational choice approach. However, in contrast to previous debates, all the contributors share a commitment to open, constructive and knowledgeable dialogue. Well-known advocates of rational choice theory (Michael Hechter, Michael Smith, Chris Manfredi) explicitly ponder some of its serious limitations, while equally well-known critics (Ian Shapiro, Mario Bunge) strike a surprisingly conciliatory tone in contemplating its legitimate uses. Vociferous critics of neoclassical economics (Bunge) favorably discuss sociological proponents of rational choice theory while two economists who are not particularly anti-mainstream (Robin Rowley, George Grantham) critically assess the problems of such assumptions in their discipline. Philosophers (Storrs McCall) and sociologists (John Hall) alike reflect on the variable meaning of rationality in explaining social behavior. In the introduction and conclusion, the editors survey the current state of the debate and show how open, constructive dialogue enables us to move beyond hackneyed accusations and dismissals that have characterized much previous debate.

Author : Michael Allingham
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 128 pages
File Size : 53,9 Mb
Release : 2006
Category : Rational choice theory
ISBN : 0415357519

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Rational Choice Theory by Michael Allingham Pdf

Author : Axel Van den Berg,Hudson Meadwell
Publisher : Transaction Pub
Page : 228 pages
File Size : 50,5 Mb
Release : 2004
Category : Social Science
ISBN : 0765802325

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The Social Sciences and Rationality by Axel Van den Berg,Hudson Meadwell Pdf

'The Social Sciences and Rationality' considers how rational choice theory has emerged as the single most powerful and controversial theoretical framework for all the social sciences. The contributors discuss both the merits and demerits of the theory.

Author : S.I. Benn,G.W. Mortimore
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 422 pages
File Size : 51,7 Mb
Release : 2014-08-21
Category : Social Science
ISBN : 9781317651277

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Rationality and the Social Sciences (RLE Social Theory) by S.I. Benn,G.W. Mortimore Pdf

The concepts of rationality that are used by social scientists in the formation of hypotheses, models and explanations are explored in this collection of original papers by a number of distinguished philosophers and social scientists. The aim of the book is to display the variety of the concepts used, to show the different roles they play in theories of very different kinds over a wide range of disciplines, including economics, sociology, psychology, political science and anthropology, and to assess the explanatory and predictive power that a theory can draw from such concepts.

Author : Rafael Wittek,Tom A.B. Snijders,Victor Nee
Publisher : Stanford University Press
Page : 625 pages
File Size : 49,5 Mb
Release : 2013-06-05
Category : Social Science
ISBN : 9780804785501

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The Handbook of Rational Choice Social Research by Rafael Wittek,Tom A.B. Snijders,Victor Nee Pdf

The Handbook of Rational Choice Social Research offers the first comprehensive overview of how the rational choice paradigm can inform empirical research within the social sciences. This landmark collection highlights successful empirical applications across a broad array of disciplines, including sociology, political science, economics, history, and psychology. Taking on issues ranging from financial markets and terrorism to immigration, race relations, and emotions, and a huge variety of other phenomena, rational choice proves a useful tool for theory- driven social research. Each chapter uses a rational choice framework to elaborate on testable hypotheses and then apply this to empirical research, including experimental research, survey studies, ethnographies, and historical investigations. Useful to students and scholars across the social sciences, this handbook will reinvigorate discussions about the utility and versatility of the rational choice approach, its key assumptions, and tools.

Author : James S. Coleman,Thomas J. Farraro
Publisher : SAGE Publications, Incorporated
Page : 264 pages
File Size : 46,7 Mb
Release : 1992-08-11
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : STANFORD:36105000106877

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Rational Choice Theory by James S. Coleman,Thomas J. Farraro Pdf

Rational Choice Theory is one of the few general theories of how individuals, groups, organizations and social structures behave - its impact on sociological theorizing has been enormous. In this volume, advocates and critics present their views of the values and limitations of rational choice theory. Whether supporter or sceptic, sociologists and other social scientists will find themselves immersed in a creative discussion of the merits and difficulties of the model and its applicability to both macro and micro level social issues.

Author : Margaret S. Archer,Jonathan Q. Tritter
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 276 pages
File Size : 51,5 Mb
Release : 2013-04-03
Category : Social Science
ISBN : 9781134546527

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Rational Choice Theory by Margaret S. Archer,Jonathan Q. Tritter Pdf

Rational Choice Theory is flourishing in sociology and is increasingly influential in other disciplines. Contributors to this volume are convinced that it provides an inadequate conceptualization of all aspects of decision making: of the individuals who make the decisions, of the process by which decisions get made and of the context within which decisions get made. The ciritique focuses on the four assumptions which are the bedrock of rational choice: rationality: the theory's definition of rationality is incomplete, and cannot satisfactorily incorporate norms and emotions individualism: rational choice is based upon atomistic, individual decision makers and cannot account for decisions made by ;couples', 'groups' or other forms of collective action process: the assumption of fixed, well-ordered preferences and 'perfect information' makes the theory inadequate for situations of change and uncertainty aggregation: as methodological individualists, rational choice theorists can only view structure and culture as aggregates and cannot incorporate structural or cultural influences as emergent properties which have an effect upon decision making. The critique is grounded in discussion of a wide range of social issues, including race, marriage, health and education.

Author : Donald Green,Ian Shapiro
Publisher : Yale University Press
Page : 415 pages
File Size : 51,5 Mb
Release : 1994-09-28
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9780300187083

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Pathologies of Rational Choice Theory by Donald Green,Ian Shapiro Pdf

This is the first comprehensive critical evaluation of the use of rational choice theory in political science. Writing in an accessible and nontechnical style, Donald P. Green and Ian Shapiro assess rational choice theory where it is reputed to be most successful: the study of collective action, the behavior of political parties and politicians, and such phenomena as voting cycles and Prisoner's Dilemmas. In their hard-hitting critique, Green and Shapiro demonstrate that the much heralded achievements of rational choice theory are in fact deeply suspect and that fundamental rethinking is needed if rational choice theorists are to contribute to the understanding of politics. In their final chapters, they anticipate and respond to a variety of possible rational choice responses to their arguments, thereby initiating a dialogue that is bound to continue for some time.

Author : Hans-peter Blossfeld,Gerald Prein
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 296 pages
File Size : 48,8 Mb
Release : 2019-09-16
Category : Social Science
ISBN : 9781000308952

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Rational Choice Theory And Large-Scale Data Analysis by Hans-peter Blossfeld,Gerald Prein Pdf

The relationship between rational choice theory and large-scale data analysis has become an important issue for sociologists. Though rational choice theory is well established in both sociology and economics, its influence on quantitative empirical sociology has been surprisingly limited. This book examines why there is hardly a link between the t

Author : Jon Elster
Publisher : NYU Press
Page : 273 pages
File Size : 52,9 Mb
Release : 1986-11
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9780814721698

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Rational Choice by Jon Elster Pdf

This series brings together a carefully edited selection of the most influential and enduring articles on central topics in social and political theory. Each volume contains ten to twelve articles and an introductory essay by the editor.

Author : Mary Zey
Publisher : SAGE
Page : 152 pages
File Size : 54,6 Mb
Release : 1998
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 9780803951365

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Rational Choice Theory and Organizational Theory by Mary Zey Pdf

Rational Choice Theory and Organizational Theory is written in response to the neo-classical economic rational choice theories and organizational economic theories which have emerged in the past decade and gained center stage in current organizational analysis.

Author : Peter Abell
Publisher : Edward Elgar Publishing
Page : 440 pages
File Size : 47,7 Mb
Release : 1991
Category : Mathematics
ISBN : STANFORD:36105006004373

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Rational Choice Theory by Peter Abell Pdf

'Rational Choice Theory is a flourishing branch of economic sociology.' Modern sociological theory has to a considerable degree been fashioned in reaction to assumptions about human rationality. This important volume argues in favour of re-establishing rather relaxed assumptions of rationality as a basis for building theory. Although such theories often fail, they prove to be more successful in building predictive and deductive models of human affairs than any competing theoretical framework. The volume includes important and seminal articles drawn from economics, game theory, utility theory and finds application in the Marxist theory of class, group theory, organization theory and the theory of power relations. This landmark book will be an essential reference companion for any serious student or researcher in modern sociological theory.

Author : Karen Schweers Cook,Margaret Levi
Publisher : University of Chicago Press
Page : 436 pages
File Size : 42,6 Mb
Release : 2008-10-03
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9780226742410

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The Limits of Rationality by Karen Schweers Cook,Margaret Levi Pdf

Prevailing economic theory presumes that agents act rationally when they make decisions, striving to maximize the efficient use of their resources. Psychology has repeatedly challenged the rational choice paradigm with persuasive evidence that people do not always make the optimal choice. Yet the paradigm has proven so successful a predictor that its use continues to flourish, fueled by debate across the social sciences over why it works so well. Intended to introduce novices to rational choice theory, this accessible, interdisciplinary book collects writings by leading researchers. The Limits of Rationality illuminates the rational choice paradigm of social and political behavior itself, identifies its limitations, clarifies the nature of current controversies, and offers suggestions for improving current models. In the first section of the book, contributors consider the theoretical foundations of rational choice. Models of rational choice play an important role in providing a standard of human action and the bases for constitutional design, but do they also succeed as explanatory models of behavior? Do empirical failures of these explanatory models constitute a telling condemnation of rational choice theory or do they open new avenues of investigation and theorizing? Emphasizing analyses of norms and institutions, the second and third sections of the book investigate areas in which rational choice theory might be extended in order to provide better models. The contributors evaluate the adequacy of analyses based on neoclassical economics, the potential contributions of game theory and cognitive science, and the consequences for the basic framework when unequal bargaining power and hierarchy are introduced.

Author : Stefan Grundmann,Philipp Hacker
Publisher : Oxford University Press, USA
Page : 353 pages
File Size : 52,5 Mb
Release : 2021
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 9780198863175

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Theories of Choice by Stefan Grundmann,Philipp Hacker Pdf

This book provides an in-depth discussion of the promises and perils of specific types of theories of choice. It shows how the selection of a specific theory of choice can make a difference for concrete legal questions, in particular in the regulation of the digital economy or in choosing between market, firm, or network.