Models in Political Studies

I.   Use of Models:  Goals

    A.    Understand Reality

    B.    Locate Vital Aspects of Object Under Study

    C.    Clarify Thinking  

    D.    Suggestions for Alternatives for Change - Prescriptive

II.   Institutionalism:  Policy as Government Output

    A.    Uniqueness of Public Policy

    B.    Nature of Political Institutions

III.   Process as Political Activity

    A.    Policy Processes

    B.    Descriptive Nature

        1.    identification of problem

        2.    determining agenda

        3.    formulating policy

        4.     legitimatization of policy

        5.    implementation of policy

        6.    evaluation of policy

IV.   Group Theory Policy as Group Equilibrium

    A.    Foundational Assumptions

    B.    Elements of Group Equilibrium

V.   Elite Theory:  Policy as Elite Preferences

    A.    Foundational Assumptions

    B.    Conspiratorial Nature

VI.    Public Choice as Decision Making by Self Interested Actors

VII.   Rationalism:  Policy as Minimax Solution

    A.    Rational Decision Making Requirements

    B.    Problems

VIII.   Game Theory - (The Prisoner's Dilemma; play the game)

IX.   Incrementalism

X.    Systems Theory

Key Web Sites

Individual Organizations and Think Tanks