Those who use the rational choice model in analyzing politics use formal mathematical patterns in order to study their subject. Members of this school simplify politics in that they offer a view of what politics would look like if certain assumptions about society and human beings were true, and the empirical evidence they offer is based upon the legitimacy of these assumptions. This approach has been applied to a wide range of political activity from the formation of political parties and government policy to

vote choice and turnout at elections. Rational choice theorists argue that the study of political analysis need not necessarily include every detail of political information, such as dates, names and places, but that an alternative view can offer a distinctive insight into the nature of political life. One of the central assumptions made by rational choice theorists is that every human being is driven by self interest and logically calculates his or her moves in order to maximize their own interests. The theory is individualistic in that it views the world as being composed of just individuals and their personal and economic objectives such as aiming to obtain more money, a bigger house, a better job etc. Rational choice theorists argue that politics begins with the behavior in individuals. According to them, groups do not act; policies are not made by governments but by people in certain positions who are motivated by their own agenda. It is this belief that rational choice theorists believe can offer a more profound insight into politics. The theory assumes tha

Some common words found in the essay are:
, William Riker, rational choice, rational choice theorists, choice theorists, choice theorists argue, theorists argue, rational choice theory, choice theory, study political analysis, study political, assumption humans, formation political, political alliances, empirical evidence, political analysis,
Approximate Word count = 721
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)