RATIONAL CHOICE, EMPIRICAL-RESEARCH, AND THE SOCIOLOGICAL TRADITION

In this article we argue that rational choice theory can play a progre ssive role in unifying theoretical and empirical work in sociology. Th e basis of rational choice theorizing is outlined, and it is argued th at important ideas of Karl Poppet, Max Weber, and Robert K. Merton pro perly belong in this tradition. Three elements in rational choice theo rizing are deemed particularly essential for explanatory sociological theory: the principle of methodological individualism, the analytical mode of theorizing, and the notion of intentional explanation. The art icle also contains a critique of variable-centred research for paying insufficient attention to the role of actions and intentions in genera ting the data being observed. Acceptable explanations should, in princ iple, always specify the mechanism(s) involved, and this usually requi res direct references to the actions and interactions of individuals.