RATIONAL CHOICE, PUBLIC POLICY AND AIDS

Douglas D. Heckathorn and Robert S. Broadhead

Rationality and Society, 1996, vol. 8, issue 3, 235-260

Abstract: Rational choice theory is a controversial basis for institutional design. Dire warnings have been issued about its potential effects. This paper examines in detail a single example of rational-choice-based institutional design in light of these warnings. The conclusions are that these warnings are ill-founded because they are based on an inaccurate or incomplete understanding of rational choice analysis, that rational choice can serve as a basis for effective and humane institutional design, and that rational choice has features that make it suitable for policy analysis.

Keywords: AIDS prevention; collective action; rational choice; social norms (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 1996
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:ratsoc:v:8:y:1996:i:3:p:235-260

DOI: 10.1177/104346396008003001

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