The Limits of Public Choice : A Sociological Critique of the Economic Theory of Politics

Public choice has been one of the most important developments in the social sciences in the last twenty years. However there are many people who are frustrated by the uncritical importing of ideas from economics into political science. Public Choice uses both empirical evidence and theoretical analysis to argue that the economic theory of politics is limited in scope and fertility. In order to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of political life, political scientists must learn from both economists and sociologists. 1. Two Approaches To Politics. Public Choice. Political Sociology -- 2. Self-interest In Politics. Politicians. Bureaucrats. Voters. Political Man. Sociological Man -- 3. Politics As Exchange. Exchange. Persuasion. Power -- 4. Individualism. Methodological Individualism. Normative Public Choice. Public Choice As Ideology -- 5. The Economics Of Collective Action. The Problem Of Collective Action. Group Size. Time And Interaction. Social Structure. Selective Incentives. Mixed Motivations. The Evidence -- 6. The Sociology Of Collective Action. Group Theory. Collective Behaviour. Collective Action. Resource Mobilization. Social Movements. New Social Movements -- 7. Cooperation And Social Order. Reciprocity. Community. Social Order. Lars Udehn. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Ideas cannot be imported wholesale from economics to political science. Through empirical evidence and theoretical analysis the author argues that sociological as well as economic theories must be accommodated.