Fiscal illusion,budget maximizers,and dynamic equilibrium

This paper extends previous work in grant induced fiscal illusion in two ways. While previous models have focused on the existence of rational comparative static equilibria in the presence of illusion, this work focuses on the dynamic process by which steady state equilibria can be achieved. Furthermore, endogeneity in grants is incorporated, which necessitates the use of a budget maximizing hypothesis. However, it is shown that a broader interpretation of the budget maximizing assumption is necessary in order for this characterization to make sense in a grantor/recipient framework.This paper was completed while the second author was on sabbatical leave at Auburn University in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology.     

An analysis of rent-seeking games with relative-payoff maximizers

In this paper, we introduce relative-payoff maximizing firms into the Tullock model of rent-seeking. These firms try to realize higher (expected) payoff than other firms. As a consequence of this, the outcome of the model changes: Firms, on average, will invest more in the rent-seeking process, the rate of dissipation of the rent becomes independent of the number of rent-seekers, dissipation becomes complete in cases where underdissipation prevails in the original model.     

Voting, Rationality and Reputation

Why do people vote? This paper presents a solution to the voting paradox in rational choice theory, based on the interaction between two concepts: externalities (James Coleman) and reputation (Einar Overbye). Elaborating on the idea that voting is an investment in one's reputation, I will argue that there are two concepts of reputation: reputation-of-power and reputation-of-trust. The solution to the voting paradox can be found in the reputation-game between social actors holding these two different forms of reputation. During an electoral campaign, powerful opinion leaders can employ their reputation-of-power (power to impose sanctions) in order to get mere voters to vote in a certain way. The aim of the powerful opinion leaders is not to influence the outcome of the election but simply to acquire or maintain their reputation, while mere voters have an interest to vote as told in order to appear trustworthy (reputation-of-trust) to powerful opinion leaders. The act of voting is an unintended consequence of this power game.     

公共政策的合法性与合理性分析

公共政策是人类社会发展到一定阶段的产物,属于调控和管理社会的规范体系的一部分。作为有约束力的行为规范,它应当与现行法律相一致;作为行动方案,它应当具有可行性和合理性。如果合法性或合理性欠缺,公共政策在实施过程中就有可能因遭受抵制而无法发挥其作用。     

Locke, Sincerity and the Rationality of Persecution

According to the most influential contemporary reading of John Locke's Letter Concerning Toleration (1689), his main argument against religious persecution is unsuccessful. That argument holds that coercion is ineffective as a means of instilling religious beliefs in its victims. I propose a different reading of the Letter . Locke's main consideration against persecution is not the unsuccessful belief-based argument just outlined, but what I call the sincerity argument . He believes that religious coercion is irrational because it is ineffective as a means of inculcating the right intentions in people. Once this alternative argument is placed at its centre, the Letter is seen to be a more fertile source of political argument than is suggested by alternative readings. In particular, the sincerity argument gives us a powerful reason for rejecting state moral paternalism, the doctrine that the state may use coercion to make people morally virtuous. If moral virtue depends upon people having the right intentions, and if coercion is ineffective as a means of instilling the right intentions in people, then state moral paternalism is ineffective and hence irrational.     

Complexity and Rationality in Public Life

Increasing complexity in the contemporary world calls into question prevailing notions of rationality in public policy and political life. Even in their most refined forms, instrumental-analytic strategies of decision are inherently limited when confronted with complexity. Communicative rationality, rooted in the intersubjective understanding of competent actors, could cope more effectively with complex social problems. By implication, political institutions grounded in instrumental rationality may be less effective than those providing for reasoned discourse among concerned actors.     

Learning about Voter Rationality

An important empirical literature evaluates whether voters are rational by examining how electoral outcomes respond to events outside the control of politicians, such as natural disasters or economic shocks. The argument is that rational voters should not base electoral decisions on such events, so evidence that these events affect electoral outcomes is evidence of voter irrationality. We show that such events can affect electoral outcomes, even if voters are rational and have instrumental preferences. The reason is that these events change voters' opportunities to learn new information about incumbents. Thus, identifying voter (ir)rationality requires more than just identifying the impact of exogenous shocks on electoral fortunes. Our analysis highlights systematic ways in which electoral fortunes are expected to change in response to events outside incumbents' control. Such results can inform empirical work attempting to identify voter (ir)rationality.     

论行为效果与道德评价合理性

行为效果是道德评价是否合理的一个重要依据.在实践中,行为效果往往具有多样性和复杂性,承担道德责任的行为效果应该追溯到最初结果;同时,针对合规行为产生的坏效果问题,我们必须要结合整个行为过程以及综合各方面的因素来作出合理的道德评价.     

建立巡视制度的合理性及其启示

党内巡视制度的产生是监督制度改革的一大成果,对反腐败工作发挥了重要作用。廉政制度创新是非常艰难的,巡视制度的产生及存在有其必然的合理性,即巡视制度具有明显的制度惯性,巡视制度与非正式制度相一致。政府的首位工作、政府的有限理性和制度环境要求建立巡视制度。从党内监督制度的改革和巡视制度的产生,可以得出五点启示：一个国家已有的历史积累构成了这个国家反腐败体制选择的基础;任何优秀的反腐败体制都是相对的;由于“制度惯性”,反腐败体制的移植是相当困难的;廉政制度变迁是从某一边际开始的一个社会博弈过程;要充分发挥巡视制度的作用是有条件的。     

Airport Security, High Reliability, and the Problem of Rationality

The events of September 11, 2001, have raised troubling questions regarding the reliability and security of American commercial air travel. This article applies the concepts and logic of high–reliability organizations to airport security operations. Contemporary decision theory is built on the logic of limited or buffered rationability and is based on the study of error–tolerant organizations. The concept of high–reliability organizations is based on the study of nearly error–free operations. For commercial air travel to be highly secure, there must be very high levels of technical competence and sustained performance; regular training; structure redundancy; collegial, decentralized authority patterns; processes that reward error discovery and correction; adequate and reliable funding; high mission valence; reliable and timely information; and protection from external interference in operations. These concepts are used to inform early–stage issues being faced by both local airports and the newly established Transportation Security Administration.     

“理性经济人”假设的合理性及其限度

"理性经济人"假设是西方经济学进行经济研究的前提假设,这一理论具有一定的合理性,其为经济学研究奠定了理论假设的前提。马克思主义认为:"人的本质不是单个人所固有的抽象物,在其现实性上,它是一切社会关系的总和。"[1]人的本性也是发展变化的,不能单从经济方面去界定人的本性,只有把人看做不断发展的、全面的人才是对人的正确认识,从这一方面来说"理性经济人"假设又有一定的限度。因此,应该对"理性经济人"假设作辩证的理解。     

合理性是科学理论的本相

形形色色的后现代流派的一个共同特征是极力反对科学的合理性,可是合理性无论如何是科学理论的本相——这主要表现在它的抽象性、符号性、非自然性或非显然性、因果性、一致性或连贯性、系统性或条理性等方面。     

Rationality and the political business cycle: The case of local government

The empirical results which have been reported support the hypotheses' implied by the model of rational political behavior set out in Section 2. In pre-election periods, local government development expenditures deviate significantly from their normal levels. The extent of deviation is approximately 20%.Consistent with the predictions of this model, it is found that incumbents not seeking re-election deviated far more in their pre-election discretionary budget expenditure than incumbents seeking re-election. The expenditure gap between the two types of incumbents is large and statistically significant. Incumbents not seeking re-election exhibit a deviation equivalent to 47% of the development budget, while those seeking re-election exhibit a 12% deviation.     

试论古田会议精神表达的情感与理性

古田会议精神是一个国家和民族弥足珍贵的精神财富,不仅仅表现为强烈的情感,更应该有理性的表达方式。本文正是从古田会议精神的时代价值,感性与理性的相互关系,说明了中国共产党的思想政治教育需要具有与时俱进的眼光,需要自尊、自信、自强的精神,需要理性行动。因此,加强古田会议精神中的理性引导是时代的要求。