Rational Choice Theory and the Evaluation of Public Policy

Bibliographic Data

ID6329271
AuthorsMax Neimun (University of California, Riverside), Stephen J Stambough (Dakota State University)
Year1998
Volume26
Issue3
Pages449-465
Publication date1998-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePolicy Studies Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0190-292X • E-ISSN: 1541-0072
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1541-0072.1998.tb01912.x
OpenAlexW2147596870
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited14

The dominance of rational choice‐inspired models of policy development, implementation, and evaluation has grown dramatically over the years as a challenge to traditional, pluralist politics. In this article, we analyze the theoretical foundations of the rational choice perspective and its criticism of pluralist politics. We explore the values inherent in the rational choice perspective and suggest that they feed into growing public cynicism about government and lead to a conservative policy agenda of less government. We then develop an unusual argument that the very tools of rational choice analysis and its values actually produce far more government involvement than expected. by examining school voucher programs. We conclude by making a case for pluralist politics as a more appropriate means for addressing the concerns of classical liberals and others about excessive government intrusion

Argument (complex analysis · Criticism · Cynicism · Dominance (genetics · Economics · Government (linguistics · Law and economics · Perspective (graphical · Policy analysis · Political science · Politics · Positive economics · Public choice · Public economics · Public policy · Rational choice theory (criminology · Voucher · Electoral Systems and Political Participation · Law · Local Government Finance and Decentralization · Public Administration · School Choice and Performance

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