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An examination of the use of formal models in political science, focusing on perceptions, goals, & standards of those who construct or employ formal models in their research. To this end is presented (1) the description & illustration of the use of formal models, (2) the explanation of why some believe that the construction of models is a useful research method, (3) the identification of subfields in which models exist & suggestions for others where models should exist, (4) the dicusssion of various types of existing models, & (5) the presentation of some basic critical standards according to which research that involves models can be judged. 3 Figures. Modified HA.

1. Action Modalities -- 1. Some Remarks on the Language L -- 2. On the Semantics of a First-Order Language -- 3. The Semantics for L -- 4. Necessity for something that an Agent does -- 5. Counteraction Conditionality -- 6. Some Defined Action Concepts -- 7. On the Logic of L -- 8. Act Relations -- 9. Act Relations and N-Equality -- 10. Consequences of Action -- 2. Intentions and Reasons -- 11. Belief -- 12. Norms and Normative Positions -- 13. Singular Norms and Intentions to do -- 14. Sets and Systems of Norms -- 15. Intentional Action -- 16. Transmission of Intention -- 17. Acting with a Further Intention -- 18. Reasons for Action and Wants -- 19. Valuations and Value Positions -- 20. Attitudes -- 3. Activities and Proceedings -- 21. Action Complexes -- 22. Structure of Activities: Two Examples -- 23. Finite Automata -- 24. Transmission of Agency -- 25. Determinism and Agency -- 26. Intervention in Norm-Governed Worlds -- 27. Grammars -- 28. Organizations -- 29. L-Grammars and L-Organizations -- 30. Role Structures -- 4. Control, Influence and Interaction -- 31. Control in Relation to an Agent -- 32. On the Power to Act -- 33. Influence and Social Power -- 34. On the Measurement of Influence -- 35. Control over an Agent -- 36. On Communication and Control -- 37. Action in Consequence Relations -- 38. Interaction -- 39. Social Groups and Social Systems -- 40. The Basis of Social Order -- 5. Social Dynamics -- 41. Information-Feedback Control: An Example -- 42. Elementary Information-Feedback Control Loops -- 43. A Dynamic System Model -- 44. Application of the Model to N-Agent Actions -- 45. Elementary Dynamics -- 46. Two-Agent Dynamic Action -- 47. Interdependent Decision -- 48. Interdependent Decision: Metagames -- 49. Metagames and Incomplete Information -- 50. Teleological Systems -- 6. Action-Explanations -- 51. Understanding and Knowledge of Facts -- 52. Understanding and Knowledge of Intentions and Actions -- 53. Meaning and Understanding -- 54. Essential Explanations -- 55. Counterfactuals and Causal Explanations -- 56. Counterfactuals and Explanation of Actions -- 57. Functional Explanation -- 58. Laws and Explanation of Actions -- 59. Free Will and the Validity of Laws -- 60. Agents.

A formal model in the social sciences builds explanations when it structures the reasoning underlying a theoretical argument, opens venues for controlled experimentation, and can lead to hypotheses. Yet more importantly, models evaluate theory, build theory, and enhance conjectures. Formal Modeling in Social Science addresses the varied helpful roles of formal models and goes further to take up more fundamental considerations of epistemology and methodology. The authors integrate the exposition of the epistemology and the methodology of modeling and argue that these two reinforce each other. They illustrate the process of designing an original model suited to the puzzle at hand, using multiple methods in diverse substantive areas of inquiry. The authors also emphasize the crucial, though underappreciated, role of a narrative in the progression from theory to model. Transparency of assumptions and steps in a model means that any analyst will reach equivalent predictions whenever she replicates the argument. Hence, models enable theoretical replication, essential in the accumulation of knowledge. Formal Modeling in Social Science speaks to scholars in different career stages and disciplines and with varying expertise in modeling

Das "Denken in Modellen", das viele Historiker befremdet und zur Ablehnung reizt, wird in dem Beitrag in eine breitere forschungslogische Perspektive gesetzt. Der Autor erläutert die verschiedenen Facetten und Anwendungsmöglichkeiten unterschiedlicher Typen formaler Modelle, weist auf Widersprüche und Probleme hin, argumentiert aber auch entschieden für den Nutzen der Modelltechnik in den verstehenden Geisteswissenschaften. (pmb)

Demonstrates the value of mathematical modeling in social movement research, particularly for investigating collective action. Eight fundamental principles in generating & analyzing formal mathematical models are outlined & some strengths & weaknesses of mathematical modeling & simulation approaches are identified. Some specialized computer programs ideally suited to working with these models & simulations are reviewed. For the nonmathematically inclined, some principles are offered to guide the evaluation of formal models used in others' research. 1 Figure, 1 Appendix, 51 References. K. Hyatt Stewart