Study Questions for Blyth

1. According to Blyth, how is the best, most “substantive” work done in political science?
2. How can the discipline of political science as a whole move forward and progress?
3. What is the importance of epistemology and ontology in the discipline of political science? Are multiple ontologies (and epistemologies) a problem? Why or why not?
4. What is the importance and role of the new institutionalism? Is Blyth convincing in his assertions? Why or why not?
5. What are the pros and cons of using institutionalism as a primary component to the study of American poltical science?
6. How do rational choice theorists incorporate and use institutions in their analysis? Do institutions help or hinder the analysis? What is their primary role?
7. What is a CPR? How does it apply to political science?
8. What is the rationalist framework according to Goldstein and Keohane?
9. What are the primary components addressed in the chapter? Is Blyth successful in achieving the purpose of this chapter? Is he convincing?
10. What are the main contributions and the crux of historical institutionalism? Is it thematic to contemporary American political science?

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