Rational Choice and Collective Decisions

What does rational choice mean? When do we act rationally in making decisions? Is it possible to have collectively rational choices? If yes, can democratic voting be an expression of such social rationality? The book provides a primer in rational and social choice theory for approaching these issues. Last year's undergraduate or PhD students are the main target of the book, or teachers interested in having an up-to-date textbook, full of examples and exercises. Key facets of the textbook include: a focus on formal results together with easy-to-handle examples, a literature review updated with recent research results and an extended approach which links topics covered here with other fields of scientific inquiry.