Anthony Downs

Introduction

I. The Meaning of Rationality In The Model

a. The Concept of Rationality In Economic Theory

i. If a theorist knows the ends of some decision-maker

ii. he calculates the most reasonable way for the decision-maker to reach his goals

iii. he assumes this way will actually be chosen because he decision-maker is rational

b. Economic analyses consists of two major steps

i. Discovery of the ends a decision-maker is pursuing

ii. Analyses of which means of attaining them are most reasonable (least input of scarce resources.)

c. Economic definition solely refers to a man who moves toward his goals in a way which, to the best of his knowledge, uses the least possible scarce resources per unit of valued output.

i. Example: Monk seeks to attain peace with God, he must clear his mind of logical thought.

ii. Perfect economic definition, but would be considered irrational by non-economic definitions.

d. A Rational man is one who behaves as follows:

i. can always make a decision when confronted with range of

Choices.

Ranks all alternatives.

ranking is transitive

-always chooses from highest in his rankings

always chooses same choice when faced with same alternatives.

-Rationality refers to process of action, not to ends or their success at reaching desired ends

b. The Narrow Concept of Rationality in The Present Study

-Cannot assume all behavior is rational

-it is aimed at some end

-it returns returns must have outweighted its costs in his eyes or would not have done it.

-People choose to do things for their own reasons.

-Therefore the personality is not taken into account

-Man voting so wife won't be mad, perfectly rational for his situation.

c. Irrationality and the Basic Function of Political Rationality

-Distinguishing between rational and irrational behavior is not easy.

-Mistaken rational man intends to strike a balance between costs/returns

-Irrational man deliberately fails to do so

-A ration man will systematically make mistakes, but cease to do so if, 1. He discovers what it is, the cost of eliminating it is smaller than the benefits therefrom.

-An irrational man will fail to rectify his errors b/c he repeats them, he is not motivated to attain ends efficiently.

-Objections

-Rational man keeps making mistakes b/c he doesn't realize he is making them.

-Irrational behavior by def. maybe rational to individual.

-Reasons for distinguishing

-point out how cost of info can lead rational men to make systematic errors in politics

-Avoid discussion of political irrationality, which springs from

-complexity of subject

-incapability with model of rationality

-it is an empirical phenomenon which can't be dealt with by deductive logic alone but requires investigation beyond scope of study

II. The Structure of The Model

-Model is based on the assumption that every government seeks to maximize political support

-Assumes democratic gov't, periodic elections, primary goal is re-election, election is goal party in power.

-each election, party that receives most votes controls gov't.

-Controlling party has unlimited freedom of action within bounds of constitution, can't hamper operations of other parties.

-Economically no limits.

III. The Relation of Our Model to Previous Economic Models of Government

a. The Problem of False Personification vs. Over-Individualism

-Buchanan- two mutually exclusive ways to view decision making by the state.

- "organismic" approach- Consider state a separate person w/ it's own ends not necessarily related to the ends of individuals, acts to maximize own welfare by manipulating gov't spending and taxation so that the marginal loss from further spending is equal to the marginal loss from further taxation. Felt by persons of state

-know one can ever know the welfare function of the state-as-a-person looks like, useless as a guide for practical decision making.

-Ð''Voluntaristic' view- considers