The Rational Choice Controversy

Pathologies of Rational Choice Theory, a book written by Donald Green and Ian Shapiro and published in 1994, excited much controversy among political scientists and promoted a dialogue that was printed in a double issue of the journal Critical Review in 1995. This new book reproduces thirteen essays from that journal written by senior scholars in the field, along with an introduction by the editor of the journal, Jeffrey Friedman, and a rejoinder to the essays by Green and Shapiro. The scholars - who include John Ferejohn, Morris P. Fiorina, Stanley Kelley, Jr., Robert E. Lane, Peter C. Ordeshook, Norman Schofield, and Kenneth A. Shepsle - criticize, agree with, or build on Green and Shapiro's critique. Together the essays provide an interesting and accessible way of focusing on completing approaches to the study of politics and the social sciences.