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Title Rational choice and security studies : Stephen Walt and his critics / edited by Michael E. Brown [and others]
Published Cambridge, Mass. : MIT Press, 2000

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Description 1 online resource (xix, 124 pages)
Series International security readers
International security readers.
Contents Rigor or rigor mortis? : rational choice and security studies / Stephen M. Walt -- Sorting through the wealth of notions / Bruce Bueno De Mesquita and James D. Morrow -- The contributions of rational choice : a defense of pluralism / Lisa L. Martin -- Return of the Luddites / Emerson M.S. Niou and Peter D. Ordeshook -- The modeling enterprise and security studies / Robert Powell -- All morits, no rigor / Frank C. Zagare -- A model disagreement / Stephen M. Walt
Summary Formal theories and rational choice methods have become increasingly prominent in most social sciences in the past few decades. Proponents of formal theoretical approaches argue that these methods are more scientific and sophisticated than other approaches, and that formal methods have already generated significant theoretical progress. As more and more social scientists adopt formal theoretical approaches, critics have argued that these methods are flawed and that they should not become dominant in most social-science disciplines. Rational Choice and Security Studies presents opposing views on the merits of formal rational choice approaches as they have been applied in the subfield of international security studies. This volume includes Stephen Walt's article "Rigor or Rigor Mortis? Rational Choice and Security Studies," critical replies from prominent political scientists, and Walt's rejoinder to his critics. Walt argues that formal approaches have not led to creative new theoretical explanations, that they lack empirical support, and that they have contributed little to the analysis of important contemporary security problems. In their replies, proponents of rational choice approaches emphasize that formal methods are essential for achieving theoretical consistency and precision
Notes Articles in this reader were previously published in International Security, a quarterly journal
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references
Notes English
Print version record
Subject Walt, Stephen M., 1955- -- Views on international security
SUBJECT Walt, Stephen M., 1955- fast
Subject Security, International -- Research
Rational choice theory.
POLITICAL SCIENCE -- Globalization.
Rational choice theory
Security, International -- Research
Internationale veiligheid.
Rationele keuze.
Form Electronic book
Author Brown, Michael E. (Michael Edward), 1954-
ISBN 9780262287791
026228779X
0585339864
9780585339863
0262522756
9780262522755
OTHER TI International security