Q. What difference does it make for democracy if social capital is in decline? (PPE 2015)

SWOT Model — critically discussing Theory

Theory in Social Science

Rational Choice Theory

‘Rational choice is the sociological theory with the greatest explanatory power.’ Discuss.

“Rational-choice theorists want to explain behavior on the bare assumption that agents are rational. This assumption includes the hypothesis that agents form rational beliefs, including beliefs about the options available to them. There is no need, therefore, to classify the determinants of behavior as either subjective (desires) or objective (opportunities). Rational-choice theory is subjective through and through.” (Elster, 2015)

"An action is rational, in this scheme, if it meets three optimality requirements: the action must be

1. optimal, given the beliefs;
2. the beliefs must be as well supported as possible, given the evidence;
3. and the evidence must result from an optimal investment in information gathering." (Elster, 2015)

Limits of Rational Choice Theory

Prof Herbert Simon, Nobel Prize winner, argues that decisions are hard because of factors such as imperfect information, uncertainty, and time constraints, which all affect and limit our rationality, and therefore our decision-making. Led to the concept of Bounded Rationality, Simon (1957)[^2] coined the term to explain that rationality has its limits and is limited by factors e.g.  1) difficulty of the problem, 2) cognitive capability, and 3) time available, among others.

Political polarization

Political polarisation is the process by which the political opinions of a population become more and more divided along two opposing sides. This can happen on a variety of issues, but it is most commonly seen in two-party systems.

There are many different theories about what causes political polarization. Some of the most common explanations include:

• The rise of partisan media: The rise of cable news and social media has made it easier for people to consume news and information that confirms their existing beliefs. This can lead to people becoming more entrenched in their own views and less willing to listen to opposing viewpoints.
• The decline of trust in institutions: In recent years, there has been a decline in trust in institutions such as the media, government, and the judiciary. This has made people more likely to turn to partisan sources for information, which can further polarize their views.
• The increasing salience of cultural issues: Cultural issues such as abortion, gun control, and same-sex marriage have become increasingly salient in recent years. This has made it more difficult for people on opposite sides of these issues to find common ground.

Baldassari & Bearman (2007) developed a model of political polarization that suggests that it is driven by two factors:

• The increasing salience of political issues: As political issues become more salient, people become more likely to identify with a political party. This can lead to people becoming more polarized, as they become more entrenched in their own party's views.
• The increasing homogeneity of social networks: As people become more connected to others who share their political views, they are less likely to be exposed to opposing viewpoints. This can lead to people becoming more polarized, as they become less aware of the views of those who disagree with them.