Game theory and comparative politics: new perspectives, old interests
Seeking to conduct an inventory of the arguments used by game theory proponents, the article assesses both this theory and a set of theoretical principles that extend the scope from rational choice to interdependent decision-making and a type of formal methodology. The article identifies some key qualities, like the theorys emphasis on actors and strategic choices and its ability to generate logically rigorous and internally consistent predictions. But it also discusses many of the theorys shortcomings. Therefore, the challenge faced by scholars of comparative politics is to consider the new perspectives offered by game theory and to make use of its qualities, without losing sight of a series of relevant long-standing issues from the social sciences that this approach is not prepared to solve.