Positive political theory or explanatory political theory is the study of politics using formal methods such as set theory, statistical analysis, and game theory. In particular, the individuals/parties/nations involved in a given interaction are modeled as rational agents guided by self-interest; based on this assumption, the interactions can be then predicted using formal methods. Politics, sometimes defined as the art and science of government. ... In computer science, formal methods refers to a variety of scientific and engineering techniques for rigorous reasoning about the correctness of computer programs, chiefly based on the use of mathematical logic. ... Set theory is the mathematical theory of sets, which represent collections of abstract objects. ... Statistics is the science and practice of developing knowledge through the use of empirical data expressed in quantitative form. ... Game theory is a branch of applied mathematics that studies strategic situations where players choose different actions in an attempt to maximize their returns. ... A rational agent takes actions which, given its knowledge of its environment, maximizes its chances of success. ...

The founder of the field was William H. Riker, who applied the principles of game theory to the study of politics. William Harrison Riker (September 22, 1920 - June 26, 1993) was an influential political scientist, who advanced the field of political science through his application of game theory and mathematics to the field. ... Game theory is a branch of applied mathematics that studies strategic situations where players choose different actions in an attempt to maximize their returns. ...

References

• W. H. Riker, P.C. Ordeshook (1973). An introduction to positive political theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ, Prentice-Hall
• D. Austen-Smith, J.S. Banks (1999). Positive political theory I: collective preference. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press
• P. T. Spiller (1996). A Positive Political Theory of Regulatory Instruments: Contracts, Administrative Law or Regulatory. Southern California Law Review
• D. Austen-Smith, J.S. Banks (1998). Social choice theory, game theory, and positive political theory. Annual Review of Political Science (doi:10.1146/annurev.polisci.1.1.259)
• J. R. Macey (1992). Separated Powers and Positive Political Theory: The Tug of War Over Administrative Agencies. Georgetown Law Journal
• J. Ferejohn (1995). Law, Legislation, and Positive Political Theory. Modern Political Economy: Old Topics, New Directions.

See also

• Social choice theory
• Rational choice theory
• Voting systems
• William H. Riker

Social choice theory studies how individual preferences are aggregated to form a collective choice, such as, for example in voting systems (also known as social choice functions or systems). ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Decision theory. ... A voting system is a process that allows a group of individuals to choose between a number of options, and determines the preferred or winning option based on the number of votes each option receives. ... William Harrison Riker (September 22, 1920 - June 26, 1993) was an influential political scientist, who advanced the field of political science through his application of game theory and mathematics to the field. ...

External links

• Google scholar article list
• The origins of positive political theory