Rational Choice Theory
Rational Choice Theory in Comparative Politics
The field of comparative politics is one in which a variety of different approaches have been undertaken with varying results. Rational Choice in Comparative Politics attempt to devise a theoretical framework that explains the process of decision-making. The rational choice institutionalism was born out of the study of American congressional behavior. At the time scholars were trying to explain why congressional outcomes were considerably stable and they decided to look at institutions. They found that institutions of the Congress lowered transactions cost among legislators. Rational choice theory is influential and occupies large part of discussion in politics as well as in international relations. However it has been a controversial theory and challenged for a very long time. It professes to predict the political outcome in the future. Rational choice theory’s role in political is built on dual foundations presumptions that explains individual behavior which is the key to understanding the functioning of political institutions. The behavior of political parties can be aggregated to understand the behavior of the group.
Rational choice theory has been driven from Liberal belief and economic theory. It depends upon underlying notion of rationality. Rationality in this case can be described as “individual make decision that maximises the utility they expect to derive from making choices”. Therefore individuals or institutions are informed and are capable at making a correct decision. The hypothesis of such theory is that individual acts in their self-interest without considerations for others. Such individuals are considered rational and calculating who seek to maximise their own advantage. The individuals have plenty of good information to make correct choice; the information comes from areas other than social, cultural or historical backgrounds. Partiality is relative, reasonable and mathematical techniques are
The field of comparative politics is one in which a variety of different approaches have been undertaken with varying results. Rational Choice in Comparative Politics attempt to devise a theoretical framework that explains the process of decision-making. The rational choice institutionalism was born out of the study of American congressional behavior. At the time scholars were trying to explain why congressional outcomes were considerably stable and they decided to look at institutions. They found that institutions of the Congress lowered transactions cost among legislators. Rational choice theory is influential and occupies large part of discussion in politics as well as in international relations. However it has been a controversial theory and challenged for a very long time. It professes to predict the political outcome in the future. Rational choice theory’s role in political is built on dual foundations presumptions that explains individual behavior which is the key to understanding the functioning of political institutions. The behavior of political parties can be aggregated to understand the behavior of the group.
Rational choice theory has been driven from Liberal belief and economic theory. It depends upon underlying notion of rationality. Rationality in this case can be described as “individual make decision that maximises the utility they expect to derive from making choices”. Therefore individuals or institutions are informed and are capable at making a correct decision. The hypothesis of such theory is that individual acts in their self-interest without considerations for others. Such individuals are considered rational and calculating who seek to maximise their own advantage. The individuals have plenty of good information to make correct choice; the information comes from areas other than social, cultural or historical backgrounds. Partiality is relative, reasonable and mathematical techniques are