Citation

Brym R. Can. Rev. Sociol. 2012; 49(3): 233-246.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1755-618X.2012.01293.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Many analysts continue to invoke narrow, market-based forms of rational-choice theory despite the call for a historically specific and culturally sensitive version of the theory. This paper demonstrates the limits of classical rational-choice theory empirically by summarizing some results of a recently completed research project on the Palestinian insurgency and Israeli state response over the period 1987 to 2007. After first establishing the existence of several important patterns of collective and state violence that are anomalous from the viewpoint of classical rational-choice theory, it proposes a model of situationally defined rational action that increases explained variation in the frequency of suicide attacks and state-directed assassinations. The analysis leads to the conclusion that, while insurgents and state actors behave rationally, their rationality is culturally and historically contingent, which is to say that it takes different forms in different contexts. © 2012 Canadian Sociological Association/La Société canadienne de sociologie.

Language: en