Comments on: Realism and Rational Choice Theory http://www.theamericanconservative.com/schwenkler/2009/06/29/realism-and-rational-choice-theory/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=realism-and-rational-choice-theory Sat, 01 Jan 2011 07:05:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: CEK http://www.theamericanconservative.com/schwenkler/2009/06/29/realism-and-rational-choice-theory/comment-page-1/#comment-4719 CEK Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:52:03 +0000 http://www.amconmag.com/schwenkler/2009/06/29/realism-and-rational-choice-theory/#comment-4719 An IR theory conversation between Americans about realism. How odd! If my memory is correct John S & C (and it may not be), you're both correct. Kaplan is confusing rational behaviour for self-interested behaviour; the latter is much more a feature in realist IR theory than the former. In fact, I can't recall reading any major realist who did that - the guarantee has alwasy been that states are selfish, not that states are always actually making the best decisions for themselves. An IR theory conversation between Americans about realism. How odd!

If my memory is correct John S & C (and it may not be), you’re both correct. Kaplan is confusing rational behaviour for self-interested behaviour; the latter is much more a feature in realist IR theory than the former. In fact, I can’t recall reading any major realist who did that – the guarantee has alwasy been that states are selfish, not that states are always actually making the best decisions for themselves.

]]> By: John Campbell http://www.theamericanconservative.com/schwenkler/2009/06/29/realism-and-rational-choice-theory/comment-page-1/#comment-4717 John Campbell Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:24:01 +0000 http://www.amconmag.com/schwenkler/2009/06/29/realism-and-rational-choice-theory/#comment-4717 Mr. Caplan, I believe that you are interpreting classical realism reasonably correctly. I would argue, however,--contextually--that what you are actually arguing for is Constructivist theory, with a heavily realist bend. --John Campbell Mr. Caplan, I believe that you are interpreting classical realism reasonably correctly. I would argue, however,–contextually–that what you are actually arguing for is Constructivist theory, with a heavily realist bend.

–John Campbell

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