Formal Models of Domestic Politics

by Scott Gehlbach

Overview

Formal Models of Domestic Politics offers a unified and accessible approach to canonical and important new models of politics. Intended for political science and economics students who have already taken a course in game theory, this new edition retains the widely appreciated pedagogic approach of the first edition. Coverage has been expanded to include a new chapter on nondemocracy; new material on valance and issue ownership, dynamic veto and legislative bargaining, delegation to leaders by imperfectly informed politicians, and voter competence; and numerous additional exercises. Political economists, comparativists, and Americanists will all find models in the text central to their research interests. This leading graduate textbook assumes no mathematical knowledge beyond basic calculus, with an emphasis placed on clarity of presentation. Political scientists will appreciate the simplification of economic environments to focus on the political logic of models; economists will discover many important models published outside of their discipline; and both instructors and students will value the classroom-tested exercises. This is a vital update to a classic text.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781108741910
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	09/30/2021
Series:	Analytical Methods for Social Research
Edition description:	2nd Revised ed.
Pages:	275
Product dimensions:	6.93(w) x 9.96(h) x 0.63(d)

About the Author

Scott Gehlbach is Professor, Department of Political Science and Harris School of Public Policy, at the University of Chicago. A political economist and comparativist, Gehlbach has made numerous contributions to the study of autocracy, economic reform, and political connections, among other topics. He is the author or coauthor of Reform and Rebellion in Weak States (Cambridge Elements in Political Economy), Representation through Taxation: Revenue, Politics, and Development in Postcommunist States (Cambridge Studies in Comparative Politics), and many articles in leading journals, including the American Political Science Review, the American Journal of Political Science, and the Journal of Politics. His work has been supported by the National Science Foundation, two Fulbright–Hays Fellowships, and many other grants. Gehlbach received his Ph.D. in political science and economics from the University of California, Berkeley.

Table of Contents

Figures and table; Acknowledgments; Preface; 1. Electoral competition under certainty; 2. Electoral competition under uncertainty; 3. Special interest politics; 4. Veto players; 5. Delegation; 6. Coalitions; 7. Political agency; 8. Nondemocracy; 9. Regime change; References; Author index; Subject index.

Editorial Reviews

'Formal Models of Domestic Politics is an ideal textbook for students who have completed basic course work in game theory and are gearing up to learn about its most recent applications to political science. For seasoned political economists, it is the perfect reference when they need a quick refresher on a family of models. Gehlbach presents formal theory in a way that not only is inviting to the reader but actually helps original authors get their ideas across more effectively. The new chapter on non-democracy accomplishes this particularly well, finding common elements in seemingly unrelated models in a way that makes the whole so much more than just a sum of its parts. Any political economist should keep this book on hand.' Monika Nalepa, University of Chicago

'This is a lovely book to teach from. It is unique in bridging the gap between informal political- economic models and more advanced topics. Gehlbach has a special gift in initiating undergraduate students to rigorous academic standards, introducing models step by step, with a variety of well-chosen applications. New content on nondemocratic models of politics makes this second edition even more relevant for tackling current political-economic issues.' Giancarlo Ianulardo, University of Exeter Business School

'This is the only textbook that provides an accessible and comprehensive coverage of the state-of-the-art theoretical models of political economy. The second edition’s new chapter on authoritarian politics is especially welcome - given the growing economic and geopolitical importance of nondemocratic countries and the recent scholarly advances in the field.' Sergei Guriev, Sciences Po Paris

'The first edition of Formal Models of Domestic Politics is already a cornerstone of the pedagogical canon of political economy, and the second edition further solidifies this status. In this new edition, Gehlbach has included important and timely new material, such as semi-democratic and authoritarian states, delegation, and voter rationality. Perfectly pitched for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in social science, this work is wonderful for both teaching and research purposes. Gehlbach takes incredible care in explaining both the models and the art of developing one's own applied theoretical models. Simply put, it is a must-have for any scholar interested in political economy.' John W. Patty, Emory University

'Formal Models of Domestic Politics is an indispensable book! In this new edition, Gehlbach guides us through both the latest developments in formal political theory and canonical models of politics. The book’s clarity and style make it accessible to advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students; the book’s coverage and depth have made it a standard reference for both political scientists and economists.' Milan Svolik, Yale University

From the Publisher