The Compatibility of Behaviouralism, Rational Choice and `New Institutionalism'

Abstract

This paper demonstrates the compatibility of three supposedly different approaches to political science. Concentrating upon `new institutionalism' it demonstrates that, by discarding theoretically untenable aspects, the fundamental truths of institutional analysis fit perfectly with both behavioural and rational choice methods. The paper then demonstrates that there are four logically separate ways in which rational choice methods can be used to help explain social outcomes and institutions. The demarcation of these separate rational choice methods dispels some common criticisms of rational choice theory.