The possibility of rational politics
- 1 May 1987
- journal article
- Published by Cambridge University Press (CUP) in European Journal of Sociology
- Vol. 28 (1) , 67-103
- https://doi.org/10.1017/s0003975600005403
Abstract
We know, more or less, what rationality means when applied to individual choices and decisions. It is less clear what it could mean when applied to policy choices. In this article I discuss three questions. First, can one assign a meaning to the idea of rational political choice? Secondly, assuming that this assignment is feasible, what is the scope for rational political decisions? Thirdly, if this scope turns out to be limited (as it will), could there be an alternative guide to political action?Keywords
This publication has 18 references indexed in Scilit:
- Equilibrium Unemployment as a Worker Discipline DevicePublished by Cambridge University Press (CUP) ,1986
- A "Mixed"-Property Regime: Equality and Liberty in a Market EconomyEthics, 1986
- Equality of TalentEconomics and Philosophy, 1985
- The Challenge of Economic Democracy: The Case of SwedenEconomic and Industrial Democracy, 1983
- Some behavioral perspectives on the dominance of hierarchical over democratic forms of enterpriseJournal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 1982
- Diffusion, Development and Democratization: Enfranchisement in Western EuropeCanadian Journal Of Political Science-Revue Canadienne De Science Politique, 1982
- Theory of the firm: Managerial behavior, agency costs and ownership structureJournal of Financial Economics, 1976
- The Political Business CycleThe Review of Economic Studies, 1975
- Manipulation of Voting Schemes: A General ResultEconometrica, 1973
- The General Theory of Second BestThe Review of Economic Studies, 1956