The foundation of Rational Choice theory in Political Science is Game Theory. Game theory is the mathematical analysis of strategic interaction. Until recently Game theory has been widely applied mostly in Economics. This course is an introductory adaptation of contemporary Game theory to political analysis.

The course will focus on theory aspects of the survey of formal political theory with emphasis on Game Theory and on utilizing mathematical models to understand a variety of political and economic phenomena. Specific topics include group choice, voting, spatial models, collective action and institutions. Examples concern political participation, public goods, legislatures, industrial regulations, interest groups and party competition. Students will be introduced to the methods of experimental design that are used to test analytical models. The class is designed to help students understand and use game theoretical methods in political science.

GRADING: There will be two in-class midterm exams in this course, Midterm #1 (35 points, October 25th) and Midterm #2 (35 points November 29^th ). Two in-class quizzes (5 points each; multiple-choice type) will be randomly scheduled during this class. No makeups will be scheduled for any of the exams without a documented medical excuse. Students will also be rquired to participate in two laboratory experiments (10 points each). Experiments will be scheduled on late afternoons. There will be a number of homeworks in this course. They will be graded as pass/fail. Generally a passing grade will be given to all turned in homeworks which show that some reasonable amount of work has been contributed, and at least an attempt was made to find correct answers. Each missing homework will result in a 5 point deduction from final score. Grades: A:90-100, B:80-89, C:70-79. Curve might be used only to increase points.

BOOKS: Peter Ordeshook “Political Theory Primer”

James Morrow “Game Theory for Political Scientists” (optional)

Week 1. The concepts of Modeling an Rationality. Representation of Political Processes, Components of a Game. Basics of Experimental Design.

Week 2. Representation of Political Processes (continued), Preferences and Utilities, Group Choice Analysis, Majority Rule.

Week 3. Spatial Models of Majority Rule, Analysis of Extensive Form Games, Solutions for Extensive Forms, Agendas, Condorcet Winners, Equilibria.

Week 4. Analysis of Strategic Form Games, Nash Equilibria, Strategic Behavior: Sophistication, Misrepresentation, and Manipulation. Experimental Analysis.

Week 5. Midterm Exam, Voting Methods and Electoral Systems. Representation versus Governance.

Week 6. Cooperation, Two-Person Cooperation ,Pork-Barreling, Cooperation under repeated play, Inducing Cooperation.

Week 7. Collective Action, The Problem of Representation, Logic of Collective Action, Political Ideology and Belief Systems, Theory of Voting and Collective Action.

Week 8. Experimental Design in Political Science. Methods and Models of experimental research. Examples: Prospect Theory; PD Games; Ultimatum Games etc.

Week 9. Bureaucracy and Intergovernmental Relations, Niskanen’s Model, Bargaining, Agenda Setting Power, Principals and Agents, Leadership.

Week 10. Leadership (continued) , Concluding remarks, Midterm Exam#2.