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To Vote or Not to Vote?: The Merits and Limits of Rational Choice Theory (Political Science) - Softcover

Blais, Andre

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9780822957348: To Vote or Not to Vote?: The Merits and Limits of Rational Choice Theory (Political Science)
Softcover
ISBN 10: 0822957345 ISBN 13: 9780822957348
Publisher: University of Pittsburgh Press, 2000

Synopsis

What makes people decide to vote? In addressing this simple question, André Blais examines the factors that increase or decrease turnout at the aggregate, cross-national level and considers what affects people’s decision to vote or to abstain. In doing so, Blais assesses the merits and limitations of the rational choice model in explaining voter behavior. The past few decades have witnessed a rise in the popularity of the rational choice model in accounting for voter turnout, and more recently a groundswell of outspoken opposition to rational choice theory.

Blais tackles this controversial subject in an engaging and personal way, bringing together the opposing theories and literatures, and offering convincing tests of these different viewpoints. Most important, he handles the discussion in a clear and balanced manner. Using new data sets from many countries, Blais concludes that while rational choice is an important tool—even when it doesn’t work—its empirical contribution to understanding why people vote is quite limited.

Whether one supports rational choice theory or opposes it, Blais’s evenhanded and timely analysis will certainly be of interest, and is well-suited for advanced undergraduate and graduate-level classes.

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About the Author

Andre Blais is professor of political science and fellow with the Centre de recherche et developpement en economique at the Universite de Montreal. He has published twelve books and more than one hundred articles in journals such as the American Journal of Political Science, the British Journal of Political Science, Comparative Political Studies, and Public Choice. He was a member of the editorial board of the International Encyclopedia of Elections, and he is the principal co-investigator of the Canadian Election Study.

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Publisher
University of Pittsburgh Press
Publication date
2000
Language
English
ISBN 10 
0822957345
ISBN 13 
9780822957348
Binding
Paperback
Edition number
1
Number of pages
200
Rating
  • 3.59 out of 5 stars
    17 ratings by Goodreads