Rationality, Democracy, and Justice

This volume advances the research agenda of one of the most remarkable political thinkers of our time: Jon Elster. With an impressive list of contributors, it features studies in five topics in political and social theory: rationality and collective action, political and social norms, democracy and constitution making, transitional justice, and the explanation of social behavior. Additionally, this volume includes chapters on the development of Elster's thinking over the past decades. Like Elster's own writings, the essays in this collection are problem-driven, non-ideal inquiries of practical relevance. This volume closes with lucid comments by Jon Elster.Part I. Jon Elster's Social and Political Thought: 1. The road toward disillusion: explanations, predictions, and prescriptions in the work of Jon Elster Roberto Gargarella and Felix Ovejero; Part II. Rationality and Collective Action: 2. Why it's rational to vote Gerry Mackie; 3. How countries can negotiate to allocate greenhouse-gas emissions: a simple proposal John E. Roemer; 4. On irreversible harm Cass R. Sunstein; Part III. Political and Social Norms: 5. Flexible and rigid constitutions: post-Kelsenian typology of constitutional systems Pasquale Pasquino; 6. What makes people tip Diego Gambetta; 7. A social-psychological theory for female suicide bombers Julia Maskivker; Part IV. Democracy and Constitution Making: 8. Decoding the genesis of political order: Jon Elster on precommitment and constitutional processes in Eastern Europe Claus Offe; 9. Enfranchisement and constitution making Claudio Lopez-Guerra; Part V. Transitional Justice: 10. Compensation and land restitution in transitions from war to peace Pablo Kalmanovitz; Part VI. The Social Sciences: 11. Jon Elster and the social sciences Daniel Little; Part VII. Discussion: 12. Comments Jon Elster.