Positive Constraints on Normative Political Theory

We consider the relationship between positive and normative political theory, emphasising both the role of normative ideas in motivating political behaviour and particularly the constraints on normative theory imposed by positive theory. Our point of departure is Christiano’s recent claim that the rational choice approach to positive and normative political theory is self-defeating. In arguing against this position, we outline a revisionist rational choice approach that we believe provides a bridge between positive and normative political theories, and clarifies the nature of the constraints on normative theory.