The Compatibility of Behaviouralism, Rational Choice and `New Institutionalism'
- 1 January 1994
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Journal of Theoretical Politics
- Vol. 6 (1) , 105-117
- https://doi.org/10.1177/0951692894006001005
Abstract
This paper demonstrates the compatibility of three supposedly different approaches to political science. Concentrating upon `new institutionalism' it demonstrates that, by discarding theoretically untenable aspects, the fundamental truths of institutional analysis fit perfectly with both behavioural and rational choice methods. The paper then demonstrates that there are four logically separate ways in which rational choice methods can be used to help explain social outcomes and institutions. The demarcation of these separate rational choice methods dispels some common criticisms of rational choice theory.Keywords
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