On the Heuristic Use of Formal Models in International Relations Theory

What is the epistemological status of rational choice models in International Relations (IR) theory, and by what standards should they be evaluated? The literature using these models is becoming increasingly bifurcated between their use to generate predictive hypotheses, which are then evaluated by empirical, usually quantitative, analysis, and their use to contribute to a generalized deductive model of international politics based on the assumptions of rational choice theory, narrowly defined. A third use of these methods, as heuristic models, based on a Weberian philosophy of social science, remains an eminently useful tool in the study of IR, but is becoming increasingly marginalized. The application of evaluative standards designed for other uses of rational choice modeling is inappropriate to the use of this technique for heuristic purposes. An evaluative standard of usefulness in helping us to understand particular political events or discourses, rather than one of predictive accuracy or contribution to a broader effort to model IR, is appropriate for the heuristic use of rational choice models.