Rational Choice

by Keith Dowding

Rational choice is the dominant theoretical approach in political science in North America and one of the main contending approaches elsewhere. This major new text provides a clear and accessible introduction assuming no prior knowledge and providing a uniquely fair-minded assessment of both the strengths and limitations of the approach. Truly international in scope and in its choice of examples, it provides broad-ranging coverage of the areas in which rational choice has been widely used and in-depth coverage of the main works of its key protagonists.

196 pages, Paperback

First published August 8, 2006

About the author

Keith Martin Dowding (born 6 May 1960), is Professor of Political Science in Research School of Social Sciences at the Australian National University, Canberra, Australia arriving from the London School of Economics, UK in 2007. He has published widely in the fields of public choice, public administration, public policy, British politics, comparative politics, urban political economy, positive political theory and normative political philosophy. His work is informed by social and rational choice theories. He edited the Journal of Theoretical Politics (Sage) from 1996 to 2012.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, school books how I adore thee ;)

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mean, you have to really be into game theory and political science to get into this one.

[Mistypane611 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent overview of many important debates within rational choice theory. Balanced, clear and with plenty of good examples.