ABSTRACT

This chapter assesses the role that rational choice theory has already played and can hope to play in the study of American politics. It argues that the importance that rational choice theory has assumed in American politics is due to the scope of its inquiry and, perhaps more important, to the dynamic character of theory development. Conveniently, the chapter illustrates exceedingly well: an important set of rational choice models applied to American politics, problems that have served the major criticisms of rational choice theory, and some avenues that appear to be extremely promising for scientific advancement. Rational choice theory has unquestionably assumed a very prominent place in political (and social) science generally, and this is especially true in the field of American politics. The chapter discusses only game-theoretic applications, otherwise ignoring decision-making under uncertainty. It argues that ambition theory is one of the most important accounts in American politics.