A Political Theory Primer

First published in 1992, A Political Theory Primer is designed as an introductory course for students in the application of game theory to modeling political processes. Examining those very phenomena that power political machineries--elections, legislative and committee processes, and international conflict--the book attempts to answer fundamental questions about their nature and function.

Included at the end of each chapter is a set of exercises designed to allow students to practice the construction and analysis of political models. Although the text assumes only training at the basic algebra level, the student who completes a course around this text will be equipped to read nearly all the professional literature that makes use of game-theoretic analysis. Each chapter also contains suggestiosn for further reading for those students who want to broaden their learning and expertise.

1. Representation of Political Processes 2. Analysis of Extensive Form Games 3. Analysis of Strategic Form Games 4. Some Special Political Games 5. Games with Incomplete Information 6. Cooperation and Coalitions

Peter C. Ordeshook is Professor of Political Science at California Institute of Technology.