Re: Rational Choice/Analytical M. (Was Nazi racial ...

[Justin Schwartz <jschwart@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Sat, 13 Jan 1996 glevy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> Justin Schwartz wrote:
>
> > ... rational choice Marxism, where that is the sort
> > exemplified by Roemer and Carling and to some extent Elster, which uses
> > the arsenal of modelling techniques of rational choice theory, game
> > theory, and neoclassical economics to reconstruct Marxist insights.
>
> Yuck.
>
> Jerry

I have the same reaction to Althusserianism, postmodern Marxism, and
orthodox Hegelianism. I do try to stifle in in the interest of learning
what insights these offer.

I repeat, however, that  analytical Marxism is not coextensive with
rational chpice Marxism. Rational choice techniques are just techniques,
ones Marxists can use to help elucidate phenomena. Lots of AMs--I
mentioned Cohen, for one, don't use them. But Marx did! Not under those
names, but see Daniel Little's nice book, The Scientific Marx, which shows
the role RCT-ic arguments play in the core arguments of Capital.

--Justin >





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