Spring 2005

GOV 385N • Introduction to Formal Political Analysis

Course Description

The course will be divided into three parts: game theory, social choice theory, and the spatial theory of voting. Game theory is the foundation of all formal political analysis. Social choice theory deals with problems of aggregating individual preferences into collective decisions, and spatial theory uses game theory and social choice theory in a Euclidean setting.

Grading Policy

There will be two in-class exams, consisting of problems very similar to those discussed in class. There is no final exam. The exams will be weighted equally to determine your final grade.

Texts

Melvin Hinich and Michael Munger, Analytical Politics, Cambridge 1997 David Kreps, Game Theory and Economic Modeling, Oxford 1990 Dennis Mueller, Public Choice Donald Saari, Decisions and Elections

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