Rational Choice and British Politics

Rational Choice and British Politics

Author: Iain McLean

Publisher: OUP Oxford

Published: 2001-04-05

Total Pages: 272

ISBN-13: 0191522457

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This engaging and original study, by one of Britain's leading scholars of rational choice theory, explores the course of British parliamentary politics over the last 150 years. McLean marries an appealing combination of social science and analytical narrative history to the great turning points in British politics - the Repeal of the Corn Law; the Victorian crisis of the Liberal and Conservative Parties; the Irish Question and Lloyd George's solution to it; the New Liberal origins of the welfare state; the politics of race and empire under Chamberlain and Powell; and the politics of 'there is no alternative' under Margaret Thatcher.


Preferences, Institutions, and Rational Choice

Preferences, Institutions, and Rational Choice

Author: Keith M. Dowding

Publisher:

Published: 1995

Total Pages: 314

ISBN-13:

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Rational choice theory has gained considerable influence in politics and sociology over the past thirty years; the use of rational choice methods has proliferated in all areas of social inquiry. From the early days of formal proofs and unrealistic assumptions, rational choice is increasingly being used to model authentic situations and institutions. The collection of essays from leading British writers in the rational choice paradigm concentrates upon the two key aspects of rational choice: the role of preferences and institutions.


The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics

Author: Iain McLean

Publisher: OUP Oxford

Published: 2009-02-26

Total Pages: 648

ISBN-13: 0191018279

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This best-selling dictionary contains over 1,700 entries on all aspects of politics. Written by a leading team of political scientists, it embraces the whole multi-disciplinary specturm of political theory including political thinkers, history, institutions, and concepts, as well as notable current affairs that have shaped attitudes to politics. An appendix contains timelines listing the principal office-holders of a range of countries including the UK, Canada, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, and China. Fully revised and updated for the 3rd edition, the dictionary includes a wealth of new material in areas such as international relations, political science, political economy, and methodologies, as well as a chronology of key political theorists. It also boasts entry-level web links that don't go out of date. These can be accessed via a regularly checked and updated companion website, ensuring that the links remain relevent, and any dead links are replaced or removed. The dictionary has international coverage and will prove invaluable to students and academics studying politics and related disciplines, as well as politicians, journalists, and the general reader seeking clarification of political terms.


Exploring British Politics

Exploring British Politics

Author: Mark Garnett

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2014-06-03

Total Pages: 830

ISBN-13: 1317860950

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Concise, comprehensive and accessible, Exploring British Politics presents an insightful approach to British politics with a special emphasis on developments since the 2010 general election and the formation of Britain’s first coalition government since 1945.Designed to stimulate critical analysis and provoke lively debate, it provides new perspectives on two key themes – the health of British democracy and the transition from traditional models of government to more flexible forms of ‘governance’.


Principles of Politics

Principles of Politics

Author: Joe Oppenheimer

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2012-07-30

Total Pages: 311

ISBN-13: 1107014883

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This book presents the rational choice theories of collective action and social choice, applying them to problems of public policy and social justice. Joe Oppenheimer has crafted a basic survey of, and pedagogic guide to, the findings of public choice theory for political scientists. He describes the problems of collective action, institutional structures, regime change, and political leadership.


British Politics

British Politics

Author: Peter John

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2021-12-13

Total Pages: 367

ISBN-13: 0198840624

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British Politics provides a cutting-edge, analytical introduction to the subject, encouraging students to think about methods and theory, whilst building a fundamental understanding of the current debates shaping British politics and public policy.


To Vote or Not to Vote?

To Vote or Not to Vote?

Author: Andre Blais

Publisher: University of Pittsburgh Pre

Published: 2000-08-15

Total Pages: 209

ISBN-13: 0822990555

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What makes people decide to vote? In addressing this simple question, Andre Blais examines the factors that increase or decrease turnout at the aggregate, cross-national level and considers what affects people's decision to vote or to abstain. In doing so, Blais assesses the merits and limitations of the rational choice model in explaining voter behavior. The past few decades have witnessed a rise in the popularity of the rational choice model in accounting for voter turnout, and more recently a groundswell of outspoken opposition to rational choice theory. Blais tackles this controversial subject in an engaging and personal way, bringing together the opposing theories and literatures, and offering convincing tests of these different viewpoints. Most important, he handles the discussion in a clear and balanced manner. Using new data sets from many countries, Blais concludes that while rational choice is an important tool—even when it doesn't work—its empirical contribution to understanding why people vote is quite limited. Whether one supports rational choice theory or opposes it, Blais's evenhanded and timely analysis will certainly be of interest, and is well-suited for advanced undergraduate and graduate-level classes.


Power and the State

Power and the State

Author: Martin J. Smith

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2009-08-14

Total Pages: 288

ISBN-13: 1137116129

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In this important new text, Martin Smith reassesses traditional debates about power and how they understand the nature and impact of the state. He develops an analysis of the new forms of state power that have developed in response to the perceived challenges of globalization and governance.


Who Enters Politics and Why?

Who Enters Politics and Why?

Author: Weinberg, James

Publisher: Bristol University Press

Published: 2020-07-22

Total Pages: 232

ISBN-13: 1529209161

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Exploring unique survey and interview data on the personality characteristics of British politicians, this book provides a timely psychological analysis of those individuals who pursue political careers and how they represent their constituents once elected. Focusing specifically on the Basic Human Values of more than 150 MPs as well as hundreds of local councillors, Weinberg offers original insights into three compelling questions: Who enters politics and how are they different to the general public? Do politicians’ personality characteristics matter for their legislative behaviour? Do voters really get the ‘wrong’ politicians? Taking a fresh psychological approach to issues that are predominant in political science, this book casts new light on the human side of representative democracy.