Time Schedule:
Sebastien G. Lazardeux
POL S 476
Seattle Campus
Explores the problem of finding fair methods for making social decisions, and examines alternative methods of social choice. Emphasis on the importance of agenda control for outcomes, and the implications of theories of social choice for common interpretations of concepts such as democracy and the general will. Recommended: POL S 101 or POL S 202; POL S 481.
Class description
In this course, I will posit that political actors are strategic. They are goal-oriented. They make decisions based on their expectations about the other actors’ actions. They know the effect of the rules that guide their interaction with others and they attempt to change these rules if it can help them achieve their goals. Thinking about politics as a strategic process can help us understand many aspects of the political world and especially events or decisions that would otherwise be puzzling. For example, why would a Senator introduce a bill that has no chance of being adopted? Why would a Prime minister voluntarily resign despite having a stable majority? This course will address these specific examples as well as the more general issue of voting in democratic societies, legislating, campaigning, or making government. Examples will be drawn from the American political system and other democratic polities. In order to tackle these issues, we will use the tools of game theory and spatial modeling. Even though game theory, and formal analysis in general, can be very complex, this will not be the case in this class. We will use these tools in ways that can be grasped by most. Hence, a strong capacity in logical reasoning, creative thinking, and a very limited knowledge of algebra are the only requirements for this class.
Student learning goals
Development of logical reasoning (particularly deductive reasoning) skills
Knowledge of political science concepts (strategic voting, agenda-setting, Condorcet paradox, median voter theorem, framing, etc)
Knowledge of game-theoretical terminology (pay-offs, Nash equilibrium, mixed strategies, sequential move, imperfect information).
General method of instruction
Lecture and discussion
Recommended preparation
POL S 270 (Introduction to Political Economy) recommended but not required.
Class assignments and grading
Midterm and Final exams Short exercises
