Rational Actor Model : Rational Actor Model Based on lecture of Professor Branislav L. Slantchev,
Dept of Political Science
University of California, San Diego
April, 2005
Definition : Definition systematic
explains foreign policy choices in international relations in terms of rational, i.e., purposeful behavior designed to achieve outcomes consistent with goals.
Rational ≠ Moral : Rational ≠ Moral purposeful behavior
designed to achieve outcomes consistent with goals
= “instrumental rationality”
actors are able to relate means to ends, and they choose the means that help them obtain the ends they like most
Rational ≠ Moral : Rational ≠ Moral
Rational ≠ Moral : Rational ≠ Moral Can blowing yourself up be “rational?”
Acts, however incomprehensible to us, in fact can relate means to ends in a purposeful way.
Idealized sequence: : Idealized sequence:
Maximizing Utility: Optimal Choice & Optimal Behavior : Maximizing Utility: Optimal Choice & Optimal Behavior each outcome is associated with some number, called utility or payoff, then the decision maker is choosing the option that yields the highest payoff, so she is maximizing utility.
Sometimes choices don’t work out … : Sometimes choices don’t work out …
Uncertainty : Uncertainty
Uncertainty: Environmental and Strategic : Uncertainty: Environmental and Strategic
Actors: 2 attributes : Actors: 2 attributes
Actors’ Preferences and Beliefs : Actors’ Preferences and Beliefs
The Environment : The Environment
Strategic Interaction : Strategic Interaction = Each actor tries to further goals, knowing other actors are doing the same.
International politics is all about interdependent decision-making.
Strategic Interaction : Strategic Interaction extremely complicated
Game Theory : Game Theory mathematical tools for analyzing decision making in various environments
Game Theory : Game Theory huge impact on the study of economics, political science, biology, sociology and anthropology
Game Theory : Game Theory
Rational Actor Model, in Review … : Rational Actor Model, in Review … purposeful behavior; instrumental rationality
optimal choice; expected utility; payoff
mistakes, deliberate risks, unintended consequences
environmental / strategic uncertainty
actor’s preference and beliefs
environment – actions and information structure
strategic interaction, game theory
What moves will YOU choose? : What moves will YOU choose?