ABSTRACT
The common association of rational choice theory in international relations with realism, neo-realism and related analyses of international behaviour based on the state as the central actor is unfortunate. It leads people away from the notion that it might be helpful in the analysis of other actors in the international scene, including international organizations. Rational choice theory can be applied to any sort of choice situation whether it is individuals or organizations that are doing the choosing. There are times when it offers powerful analyses. Some of its more enthusiastic proponents seem to think that practically all of human behaviour (and quite a bit of animal behaviour as well) can be fitted under its rubric (e.g. Becker 1971; 1991). The author is a more modest advocate, believing the procedures to be often useful but also have their limitations. One of the problems with rational choice theory is that, with ingenuity, it is possible to incorporate any form of behaviour under its wing, making it effectively a tautological system. Ideally, we want to avoid tautology while devising a theory rich enough to account for the behaviour we are interested in.
