Rationalism (international relations)

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Rational choice (also termed rationalism) is a prominent framework in international relations scholarship. Rational choice is not a substantive theory of international politics, but rather a methodological approach that focuses on certain types of social explanation for phenomena.[1] In that sense, it is similar to constructivism, and differs from liberalism and realism, which are substantive theories of world politics.[1][2] Rationalist analyses have been used to substantiate realist theories,[3][4][5] as well as liberal theories of international relations.[6][7]

Rational choice research tends to explain conditions that bring about outcomes or patterns of behavior if relevant actors behave rationally.[1] Key concepts in rational choice research in international relations include incomplete information, credibility, signaling, transaction costs, trust, and audience costs.

  1. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference :8 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Finnemore, Martha; Sikkink, Kathryn (2001). "Taking Stock: The Constructivist Research Program in International Relations and Comparative Politics". Annual Review of Political Science. 4 (1): 391–416. doi:10.1146/annurev.polisci.4.1.391. S2CID 3640392.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Glaser, Charles L. (2010). Rational Theory of International Politics. Princeton University Press. doi:10.1515/9781400835133. ISBN 978-1-4008-3513-3.
  5. ^ Kydd, Andrew (2005). "Trust and Mistrust in International Relations". Princeton University Press. JSTOR j.ctv39x4z5.
  6. ^ Schultz, Kenneth A. (2001). Democracy and Coercive Diplomacy. Cambridge Studies in International Relations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/cbo9780511491658. ISBN 978-0-521-79227-1.
  7. ^ Fearon, James D. (1994). "Domestic Political Audiences and the Escalation of International Disputes". The American Political Science Review. 88 (3): 577–592. doi:10.2307/2944796. ISSN 0003-0554. JSTOR 2944796. S2CID 36315471.