Enlightenment

[tlightca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

I have been monitoring the pkt list for a few weeks and have found it very
interesting. Unfortunately (for this purpose, at least) I was educated a
political scientist. As a consequence I have the sketchy grounding in
economics that afflicts our breed. I'm interested in pkt for two reasons.
First, as you may know, political science has been invaded by economical
theory, the so-called "rational choice" school in particular. I know enough
about the problems with the assumptions in this body of thought to make me
suspicious, but I need a more solid foundation for dispute. Just pointing
out that the theory doesn't yield any useful empirical results hasn't
stopped the neo-classicists in economics and I suspect it won't work in
polisci either. Second, I need to see how pkt can be used to make sound
policy arguments. This list has shown it can be done, but I need a sounder
understanding of the arguments.
So how to retool? I need a good basic text (s?) that uses pkt ideas as the
basis of its presentation, includes comparisons with neo-classical ideas,
and has some excercises I can do to see if I understand what's been said.
Any suggestions would be welcome. If I can reciprogate on any matters in
political science, I'd be glad to. Thanks.
Tracy Lightcap
Department of History and Political Science
LaGrange College
LaGrange GA 30240-2999
tlightca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
706/812-7226 F:706/884-6567