FORMAL METHODS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

In: American journal of political science: AJPS, Band 19, Heft 1, S. 133-159

Abstract

TIS PAPER ATTEMPTS FIVE GOALS:TO DESCRIBE AND ILLUSTRATE THE USE OF FORMAL METHODS OF POLITICAL BEHAVIOR; TO EXPLAIN WHY SOME USE MODELS IN RESEARCH; TO IDENTIFY SUBFIELDS IN WHICH MODELS EXIST AND SUGGEST OTHERS WHERE MODELS SHOULD EXIST; TO DISCUSS VARIOUS TYPES OF EXISTING MODELS; AND, TO OFFER SOME CRITICAL STANDARDS ACCORDING TO WHICH RESEARCH WHICH INVOLVES MODELS CAN BE JUDGED.