Unidimensional spatial model课件.pptVIP

Unidimensional spatial model 17.251/252 Fall 2008 Overall map Why do we care about theory or explanation at all? History of studying Congress Politics of Lineland Why do we care about theory or explanation at all? That’s what social scientists do That’s what politicians do That’s what citizens do Different professions have different ways of theorizing about legislatures Activists: good guys and bad guys Reporters: individual stories about good guys and bad guys Political scientists: The general, generic, and predictable Brief history of political science Early days to ~1880: formalism ~1800 to 1950: Progressive history 1950 to 1980: Sociology 1980 to the present: Economics Formalism Progressive history Wilson, inspired by Walter Bagehot’s The English Constitution Sociology The group’s what’s important Congress is just a group Economics The individual’s what’s important Collective behavior derives from individual behavior and interest How each group would approach the conflict b/t Congress the President over Gitmo Formalism What does the Constitution say about the role of Congress and the Executive in international conflict? Progressive history Where does the power really lie, in the struggle between Congress and the president? How each group would approach the conflict b/t Congress the President over Gitmo Sociology Who are the actors and what roles do they play? What are the factors that constrain actors to stay within their roles? Economics Who are the relevant individuals and what are their goals? (Election, policy, power, etc.) What are the sets of strategic moves these individuals can make to optimize? Advancements in legislative studies Our understanding of legislatures has become more precise over time Modern legislative analysis focuses on the interaction between individuals and institutions Without institutions, decisionmaking chaotic Heritability problem Theoretical primitives Preferences Rules Logic of next step Begin with simple preferences How