The SAGE Library of Political Science collects together the articles that have been most influential in shaping the discipline. Each multi-volume set presents a collection of field-defining published works, both classical and contemporary, sourced from the foremost publications in the discipline by an internationally renowned editor or editorial team. They also include a full introduction, pres...

The purpose of rational choice theory is to explain social phenomena by assuming rational choice at the actor’s level. To realize this purpose, the theory assumes two mechanisms: choice by actors and the macro–micro–macro transition. After explaining these mechanisms, this article first shows how rational choice theory successfully explains the problem of social order embodied in various fields...

These are exciting times for those interested in the connection of biology to behavior. Consider the following findings that were reported in the first half of 2005 alone. Sexual foreplay for fruit flies is fairly predictable. A male first approaches a waiting female, bumps or taps her with his leg, rubs his wings in such a way as to make music, and then begins to lick her. The remarkable recen...