Putting ‘rationality’ and ‘Ted Cruz’ together in the same sentence feels like I’m violating a law of nature. But now the USA has stepped back from the precipice … again, it’s worth looking at “abnormal” and “irrational” forms of social behaviour But I would like to do so through the prism of rational actor theory. On the face of it, you could be forgiven for thinking there’s no sociological perspective less suitable than one that pays strict attention to rationality, especially as Tea Party Republicans like Cruz subscribe to an irrational mix of conspiracy theory, Jesusland rapture-bothering; and think going off on a completely pointless 21-hour speech in the Senate before voting for the spending plan he opposed is smart tactics. But that is where you would be mistaken. Rational actor theory is well-positioned to make some sense of seemingly-evident nonsense. Continue reading →