Game Theory and Political Theory: An IntroductionFormal political theory seeks to develop formal mathematical models of political and economic processes. The thesis of this volume is that game theory provides the integrating force of the new political theory. Ordeshook shows that the central ideas of "formal political theory," "rational choice models of politics," or of "positive political theory" are an integral whole, and that game theory provides the connecting thread. Rejecting the separation of economics and politics into disjoint disciplines, he shows how the new political theory conceptualizes society in such a way that the same concepts explain markets; the agencies and laws established by legislatures to regulate markets; and lobbying. Other topics include: models of elections and committee processes; the demand and supply of public goods; individual preference and choice; and social choice. ISBN 0-521-30612-4L $49.50. |
