Howlett and Ramesh (2003) Studying Public Policy: Policy Cycles and Policy Subsystems

Chapter 1
Policy Science and Policy Cycles

Studying the relationship between governments and citizens.
H and R's approach focuses not so much on the structures of government or the behaviour of policital actors or on what govs should or should not do, but on what govs actually do.

Rational Choice--Deductive Theory
Ubit of Analysis:
INDIVIDUAL--huided by self interest. "This conception of the motivation and roles of voters, parties...in the policy process leads to the conclusion that voters will constitantly seek more programs from gov, constrained only by their willingness to pay taxes and that politicians, parties, and bureaucrats will be willing to supply the programs because of their own self interest in power, prestige and popularity. Tje result is a constant increase in the level of state intervention in the economy and society and often in the form of a political business cycle" (24).
Free Riders
Rent Seekers

Hows does Rational Choice Theory predict policy?
self interest drives our actions and it is rational to follow these actions. it is irrational when we do things that result in negative benefits. when there are INCONSISTANCIES in our actions and words people are irrational...
Weakness:
disregards the effects of institutional factors shaping actors' prefs.

"Both actors and institutions play a crucisl role in the policy process" (52).