POLC90H3 Study Guide - Final Guide: Bourgeoisie, Modernization Theory, American Imperialism

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Rational choice explanations a methodologically individualist theory that reveals how intentional and rational actors generate collective outcomes. Patterns of behaviour in societies reflect the choices made by individuals as they try to maximize their benefits and minimize their costs. People make decisions by comparing the costs and benefits of different courses of action. All actions can be ranked in an order of preference. Assumptions individualism: it is individual agents, not institutions and structures who ultimately take action self-interest individual can be expected to act to improve their own welfare. Strengths it produces a very testable theory with clear conditions. Provides a plausible compelling story with few variables generalizable implications. Limits insensitive to historical, political, and cultural contexts. Has thus far failed to produce any significant empirical contribution it assumes an individual has full or perfect information about exactly what will occur due to any choices made.

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