Rational Choice and Dysfunctional Institutions
نویسنده
چکیده
As stated elsewhere in this issue, we cannot claim to explain an institution’s origin just by the functions it serves. In part this may be because of the cognitive limitations of those actors who are instrumental in institutional formation and institutional change. But even more clearly, it is the case that rational instrumental choice does not imply functional institutions. Just as rational choice in a prisoner’s dilemma may result in inefficient policies, rational choice by actors with conflicting preferences for institutions may result in institutions that are suboptimal. Examples of rational choice explanations of dysfunctional institutions are provided in the area of bureaucracy, regulation, healthcare, and budgeting. I argue that the paradoxes and impossibility results of rational choice theory offer the best insights currently available into the persistent inefficiencies of the world of politics.
منابع مشابه
Rational choice theory
The purpose of rational choice theory is to explain social phenomena by assuming rational choice at the actor’s level. To realize this purpose, the theory assumes two mechanisms: choice by actors and the macro–micro–macro transition. After explaining these mechanisms, this article first shows how rational choice theory successfully explains the problem of social order embodied in various fields...
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