ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview and analysis of the rationalist understanding of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), focusing on the nature, behavior, and influence of NGOs. It explains rationalist approaches to NGOs and defines rational choice theory. The chapter analyzes NGO nature and behavior using a rationalist approach. It explains the influence of NGOs using a rationalist perspective. The chapter describes the limitations and merits of this methodology. It attempts to show the implications of the rationalist perspective for broadening the study of NGOs in the future. Rationalists treat NGOs as rational entities that want to maximize their chance of survival. NGOs have a reciprocal relationship with other actors, including states, Intergovernmental Organizations, and multinational corporations: they are both influenced by and influence these other entities. The chapter concludes with a projection of how a rationalist approach can be used to study NGOs in the future.
