1st Edition

The Limits of Public Choice A Sociological Critique of the Economic Theory of Politics

By Lars Udehn Copyright 1996
    464 Pages
    by Routledge

    464 Pages
    by Routledge

    Public choice has been one of the most important developments in the social sciences in the last twenty years. However there are many people who are frustrated by the uncritical importing of ideas from economics into political science. Public Choice uses both empirical evidence and theoretical analysis to argue that the economic theory of politics is limited in scope and fertility. In order to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of political life, political scientists must learn from both economists and sociologists.

    Figures, Acknowledgements, INTRODUCTION, 1. TWO APPROACHES TO POLITICS, 2. SELF-INTEREST IN POLITICS, 3. POLITICS AS EXCHANGE, 4. INDIVIDUALISM, 5. THE ECONOMICS OF COLLECTIVE ACTION, 6. THE SOCIOLOGY OF COLLECTIVE ACTION, 7. COOPERATION AND SOCIAL ORDER, CONCLUSION, Notes, Bibliography, Index

    Biography

    Udehn, Lars