Rational Choice Theory in Comparative Sociology

Abstract

Among schools of thought in comparative research, Rational Choice Theory (rct) is both the most systematic and the most contested. rct lacks a “classical” foundation but offers a clear internal theory structure. The rationality assumption contains an unquestioned heuristic aspect, although the determinants of choice (especially preferences) lack a universally accepted solution. The choice aspect addresses the understanding of social phenomena as the result of individual actions seen in light of the possible alternatives. This view unifies scholars in the Rational Choice tradition and leads to the macro-micro-macro-scheme. Micro-oriented comparative research has flourished through the availability of multi-level data sets in fields such as social capital theory, social stratification and mobility, including educational attainment or the inclusion of migrants, family studies, criminology, and labor markets. Institutional rct-based comparative research has addressed welfare states, religion, and general questions. In both aspects, rct leaves room for further productivity in comparative research.

The Decisions of Roma From Marginalised Localities About Travelling to Work in the Form Job Mobility or Commuting

“…Počiatky tejto teórie siahajú do 18. storočia a za pôvodcu je považovaný filozof Adam Smith, ktorý už vo svojej eseji "Skúmanie povahy a príčin bohatstva národov" z roku 1776 hovoril, že tendencia ľudí dosahovať vlastné záujmy vedie k prosperite. Do popredia sa dostala v 50. a 60. rokoch 20. storočia vďaka sociológom G. C. Homansovi, P. Blauovi a J. Colemanovi, ktorí ju rozpracovali v kontexte sociálnej výmeny (Witztum, 2005;Scholtz, 2015). Historický kontext nami zvolenej teórie veľmi úzko súvisí so sociálnou prácou a spoločenskými vedami, pretože slúži na konceptualizáciu ľudského konania a vysvetlenie komplexných javov na základe individuálnej ľudskej činnosti.…”