Decision Making Theories and Methods
[SPRI2085]
[30h] 5 credits
This course is taught in the 1st semester.
Teacher(s): Jacques Herman
Language: French
Level: Second
Aims
Main themes
Content and teaching methods
Introduction: power, decision and conflict. Theories rationality: pure, limited, adaptive, instrumental, procedural, cognitive, axiological. Decision under uncertainty. Simple decision in state of ignorance. Rational decision's criteria. Levels of decision: individual, collective, systemic. Evolution and behavior. Decisional flow: compromise, consensus, leadership, power, vote. Game theory. General standards. Problems of equilibrium and communication. Symmetrical games. Interdependence of utility functions. Epistemological challenges of game theory. Contextualisation of game theory in international relations. Empirical use of the game theory: some examples. Praxiology, ethics and axiology of decision. Intentions and preferences. Hedonism, heroism, perfectionism. Some traditional doctrines. Theories of democracy. Democratic values. Theory of voting. Democracy and rationalities. Public choice theory. Public and private goods. Social mechanisms of public policies choice.
Method
The lectures combines theoretical explanations, practical applications and methodological exercises useful for the understanding of political decision making.
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)