Publisher's Synopsis
The Prisoner′s Dilemma and Kenneth Arrow′s General Possibility Theorem, are two of the most simple, yet far-reaching concepts in social science. The first captures in an easily understood paradox how individually rational acts that benefit individual people can combine to produce a result that is of less benefit to everyone. The Arrow Theorem shows that there is no formula for ranking the preferences of many people into a rational aggregate. This book is a collection of the best work done on these two ideas. It is an ideal introduction for students or sourcebook for professionals.
`...it presents the traditional works addressing the problems of rationality in social and political theory...the anthology represents a much needed collection of essays on the important theme of rationality in society.′ -- Queen′s Quarterly, Vol 91 No 2, 1985
