Psychology and Rational Actor Theory

Argues that the intellectual brilliance of rational actor theory as a universal model of human behaviour can cloud its limitations; it is thus imperative to remain cognizant of both the strengths and the limitations of the theory and apply it only to situations where its basic assumptions truly hold. Concludes by offering an alternate theory of political behaviour, one that builds on work in psychology to develop a perspectival theory of political action. (Original abstract-amended)