Utilitarianism and rational choice
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6258806 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Leif Lewin (Uppsala University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 1988 |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 29-49 |
| Publication date | 1988-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | European Journal of Political Research (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0304-4130 • E-ISSN: 1475-6765 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1111/j.1475-6765.1988.tb00140.x |
| OpenAlex | W2069026993 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 22 |
Rational choice theory springs from the utilitarian premises that what is best for society is nothing but the sum of what is best for each individual and what is best for the individual is best understood by the individual himself. Modern research, however, has often found both these premises to be invalid. Sometimes rational individual action leads to collectively irrational decisions. Occasionally, individual preferences emerge out of irrational motives. Other theories of the relation between man and society such as the doctrines of paternalism and the general will are therefore analyzed. The conclusion is that the present difficulties of rational choice theory can be attributed to its reluctance to integrate our empirical knowledge of the decision making of parties and organizations. There is room for a new theory that makes the rulers more independent of their voters than they are in rational choice theory, but more bound than they are in practice
Action (physics · Economics · Epistemology · Irrational number · Law and economics · Nothing · Paternalism · Political science · Positive economics · Rational choice theory (criminology · Relation (database · Sociology · Utilitarianism · Computer Science · Economic Theory and Institutions · Law · Mathematics · Philosophy
Political concepts, a reconstruction
Sour Grapes
An economic theory of democracy
The Calculus of Consent
The Rise and Decline of Nations
Political Theory and Social Policy
A Theory of Justice
Utilitarianism and Beyond
A Preface to Democratic Theory, Expanded Edition
The Meaning of Conservatism
On Democracy
Collective Action
The Logic of Collective Action
Community Power Structure. A Study of Decision Makers
Social Choice and Individual Values
How to Study Community Power
Choice, Welfare and Measurement
Two Faces of Power
Pluralism and Social Choice
A Critique of the Ruling Elite Model
| Unique citing works | 2 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0.05 |
| Citation span | 1989 - 1991 (3) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 2 |