Combined notes on the lectures and *SOME* required readings from the course (2023) Rational Choice Theory. *DISCLAIMER* does NOT include any of the lectures’ practice questions. INCLUDES notes from (Total: 38 pages):
Lectures 1-10.
Kenneth A. Shepsle’s textbook (2nd edition, 2010) “Anal...
Combined notes on the lectures and *SOME* required readings from the course (2023) Rational
Choice Theory. *DISCLAIMER* does NOT include any of the lectures’ practice questions. INCLUDES
notes from (Total: 38 pages):
● Lectures 1-10.
● Kenneth A. Shepsle’s textbook (2nd edition, 2010) “Analyzing Politics: Rationality, Behavior
and Institutions”, chapters 1 and 2 (2.1-2.8).
● Martin J. Osborne’s textbook (2003) “An Introduction to Game Theory”, chapters 1 and 2.
Rational Choice Theory Lecture Notes (Lectures 1-10) and *SOME*
Required Readings
Table of Contents
Lectures 1-10 1
Lectures 1 & 2: Introduction to Rational Choice Theory (RCT) 1
Lecture 3: Utility Function & Expected Utility Theory 5
Lecture 4: Foundation of Theories of Games & Strategic Interactions 6
Lecture 5: Theories of Games & Strategic Interactions (Part 1) 11
Lectures 6 & 7: Theories of Games & Strategic Interactions (Part 2) 14
“Analyzing Politics: Rationality, Behavior and Institutions” 29
Part 1: INTRODUCTION 29
1. It Isn't Rocket Science, but ... 29
2. Rationality: The Model of Choice 30
“An Introduction to Game Theory” 33
1. Introduction 33
I Games with Perfect Information 34
2. Nash Equilibrium: Theory 34
, 1
Lectures 1-10
Lectures 1 & 2: Introduction to Rational Choice Theory (RCT)
Introduction
Political science at the end of WWII:
● Thick descriptions.
● Normative component = many judgements about how it worked & the way the world should
work → Marxism, Liberalism, Capitalism.
● Political science = descriptive & judgmental > analytical.
How could we evaluate the merits of these claims?
● Judgments & speculation = subjective.
● Could we move toward a more objective approach?
○ Research’s subjectivity & objectivity = continuum (fuzzy theory).
○ NO pure objective social science research, BUT some prefer to minimise subjective
factors’ influence by scientific & standardised approaches + peer review process.
● Vienna Circle’s (20th century): Group of philosophers/scientists that promoted the idea of
“logical positivism/empiricism” = only prepositions verified through direct
observation/logical proof have meaning.
➔ Economists among the first groups who:
◆ Internalised & started applying logical positivism in social sciences =
impacted scientific research in different fields.
◆ Applied RCT to modern social issues.
Criticisms of RCT:
● Green & Shapiro = discrepancy between practitioners’ faith in RCT & its failure to deliver
empirically, warrants a closer inspection of RCT as a scientific enterprise.
● Perestroika Movement = dismantling of the Orwellian system in APSA.
Responses to criticisms: → problems with these arguments:
● Fiorina = how could political science have ● Empiricism ≠ RCT ≠ formal
prospered otherwise? (mathematical) modelling.
● Behavioural economics is offered to
● Shepsle = do NOT let go of something until
complement RCT.
you have something else to hold on to.
Tributes:
● Hume = Scottish philosopher in the Enlightenment who discussed utilitarianism & logical positivism.
● Ibn Khaldun = Tunisian philosopher & social scientist (process tracing), arguing good governance &
offering ethnographical analysis.
● Wittgenstein = Austrian philosopher → “nothing is so difficult as not deceiving oneself.”
Les avantages d'acheter des résumés chez Stuvia:
Qualité garantie par les avis des clients
Les clients de Stuvia ont évalués plus de 700 000 résumés. C'est comme ça que vous savez que vous achetez les meilleurs documents.
L’achat facile et rapide
Vous pouvez payer rapidement avec iDeal, carte de crédit ou Stuvia-crédit pour les résumés. Il n'y a pas d'adhésion nécessaire.
Focus sur l’essentiel
Vos camarades écrivent eux-mêmes les notes d’étude, c’est pourquoi les documents sont toujours fiables et à jour. Cela garantit que vous arrivez rapidement au coeur du matériel.
Foire aux questions
Qu'est-ce que j'obtiens en achetant ce document ?
Vous obtenez un PDF, disponible immédiatement après votre achat. Le document acheté est accessible à tout moment, n'importe où et indéfiniment via votre profil.
Garantie de remboursement : comment ça marche ?
Notre garantie de satisfaction garantit que vous trouverez toujours un document d'étude qui vous convient. Vous remplissez un formulaire et notre équipe du service client s'occupe du reste.
Auprès de qui est-ce que j'achète ce résumé ?
Stuvia est une place de marché. Alors, vous n'achetez donc pas ce document chez nous, mais auprès du vendeur giacomoef. Stuvia facilite les paiements au vendeur.
Est-ce que j'aurai un abonnement?
Non, vous n'achetez ce résumé que pour €8,99. Vous n'êtes lié à rien après votre achat.
