Is Talk Really Cheap? Prompting Conversation Between Critical Theory and Rational Choice James Johnson The American Political Science Review, Vol. 87, No. 1. (Mar., 1993), pp. 74-86. Stable URL: http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0003-0554%28199303%2987%3A1%3C74%3AITRCPC%3E2.0.CO%3B2-V The American Political Science Review is currently published by American Political Science Association.
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American Political Science Review
Vol. 87, No. 1 March 1993
IS TALK REALLY CHEAP? PROMPTING CONVERSATION BETWEEN CRITICAL THEORY AND RATIONAL CHOICE JAMES JOHNSON
University of Rochester
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ritical theory and rational choice theory share both overlapping concerns and parallel theoretical weaknesses. Specifically, both critical theorists and rational choice theorists are preoccupied with determining what rational can mean in the realm of social and political interaction. I show in a provisional way how game theory extends and deepens the critical theorists' basic intuition that unembellished strategic rationality cannot adequately sustain social and political interaction. And I suggest how critical theory identifies a mechanism underlying the force of the "cheap talk" that game theorists introduce in hopes of circumscribing the indeterminacy generated by their models. M y goal is to stimulate productive conversation between what are typically considered discordant research traditions. In fact, the first task of rational choice theory must be to circumscribe its own limits. -Elster, The Cement of Society Critical theory does not relate to established lines of research as a competitor, . . . it attempts to explain the specific limitations and relative rights of those approaches. -Habermas, The Theory of Communicative Action One seeks a midwife for his thoughts, another someone whom he can help: origin of a good conversation. -Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil
ritical theory and rational choice theory--exemplified by Jurgen Habermas' theory of communicative action and noncooperative game theory, respectively-converge in improbable but potentially productive ways at the intersection of the three epigraphs. This convergence is improbable because critical theorists and game theorists are at best indifferent to each others' work. It is potentially productive insofar as, by demonstrating mutual relevance and common concerns, it not only charts a tentative course beyond indifference but, in the process, extends the promise of enhanced theoret