Rational Choice, Scientific Method and Social Scientism

The eighteenth-century introduction of the scientific method of the natural sciences to the study of social phenomena draws a line between moral philosophy Ethat aspect of ancient and medieval philosophy that dealt with social issues Eand the social sciences as known today. From the onset, the emerging social science, or rather, its epistemological orientation to ‘social scientism,Ewas vigorously challenged by many critics who saw it as a reductionist and mechanistic understanding of human beings and their society. In recent times, this criticism has narrowed down to the critique of the rationalist assumptions or rational choice theory on which much of social scientism is built. Critics of the natural science ideal in the social sciences argue that the subject matter of the social sciences Ehuman beings, their society and interactions Eis so complex and different a system that subjecting it to the crucible of the scientific method of the natural, positivist sciences not only limits its understanding but leaves it with an abrasive and distorting impact. In the same manner, critiques of rational choice theory argue that it is a reductionism that does not account for a significant proportion of human actions and motives. What seems to be advocated for is a sort of social science method that addresses the shortcomings of the scientific method applied to social phenomena and employs a more robust model of human action that supersedes the rational choice model. This paper however posits that rationalist assumptions or rational choice theory is not peculiar to social scientism but lies at the foundation of modern and contemporary science and its method. We trace out the centrality of individual rationality assumptions in the general epistemology of the scientific method and social scienticism within the context of the centuries-old debate on the limitations of the scientific method in the social sciences. Our thesis hints at the impossibility of a modern and contemporary scientific model of either nature (physics) or society that does not assume individualist or subjective rationality.Scientific Method, Social Scientism, Rational Choice

An Empirical Analysis of Agglomeration Effect in the Japanese Food Industry -Panel Analysis Using Flexible Translog Production Function-

In this paper, we examine the existence of agglomeration effect on production in the Japanese food industry from 1985 to 2000 using plant-level 4-digit subclassification, panel dataset and new agglomeration index in Akune and Tokunaga (2005), and Tokunaga, Kageyama, and Akune (2005), based on Ellison and Glaeser (1997). This is an improvement on the the conventional indices such as Location Quotient (LQ) or Location Gini Coefficient (L).When we apply a flexible translog production function and cost share equation as suggested by Kim (1992), we find that around 2% of positive agglomeration effect exists in absence of any restriction on homotheticity in the the case of employment based agglomeration (Gamma EG ).Agglomeration, Japanese food industry, Panel data analysis, Flexible translog production functions, Agribusiness, R12, R3, Q59,

Agglomeration Effects and Japanese Food Industry Investment in China: Evidence from the Cities

This paper uses the data from Chugoku Shinshutsu Kigyou Ichiran 2003-2004 (A View of Japanese Enterprises Investments in China 2003-2004) to study 1ocation choice of Japanese food industry investment in 231 Chinese cities from 1992 to 2001, paying a particular attention to agglomeration effects. A negative binominal model indicates that labor cost (WAGE) is the most important factor that deters Japanese food industry investment. Market size (GDP), raw material (MATER), port (PORT) and policy incentives (POLICY), however, have positive effects in Japanese food industry investment location choice in China. As for the three-tier agglomeration effects' test, the agglomeration effects of Japanese manufactures agglomeration (AG2) and Japanese food manufactures agglomeration (AG3) are confirmed, but not for foreign investment agglomeration (AG1).food industry, agglomeration, Japan, China, FDI, Agribusiness, International Relations/Trade, F21, Q13, Q18,

Impact of landownership on residential land use equilibria

This dissertation examines the impact of the landownership on residential land use equilibria. The study will develop three models of landownership by using the bid rent function approach. In the first model we propose a basic model of residential land use, called an $\alpha$-landownership model, in which a group of city residents is assumed to own the circular area from the CBD up to a radius $\alpha.$ Our model includes both the absentee landownership model and the public landownership model as special cases. The existence and uniqueness of the land use equilibrium will be shown. We will examine how the land use equilibrium will be affected by changes in the landownership parameter $\alpha$ and other parameters such as household incomes and populations. This model, however, should be viewed as a simple prototype for introducing landownership into urban analysis. Thus, in the second model we replace $\alpha$-land with an arbitrary subset, say S, of the city\u27s land. In the context of this extended model, called an S-landownership model, we examine the existence and uniqueness of the residential equilibrium, and conduct comparative static analyses. Finally, in the third model, we extend the first model by introducing crowding externalities and examine the impact of the minimum lot size regulation on the land use equilibrium in order to remedy crowding externalities. Furthermore, we examine how the utility levels and the total land rent will be affected by changes in the landownership parameter

Impact of landownership on residential land use equilibria

This dissertation examines the impact of the landownership on residential land use equilibria. The study will develop three models of landownership by using the bid rent function approach. In the first model we propose a basic model of residential land use, called an $\alpha$-landownership model, in which a group of city residents is assumed to own the circular area from the CBD up to a radius $\alpha.$ Our model includes both the absentee landownership model and the public landownership model as special cases. The existence and uniqueness of the land use equilibrium will be shown. We will examine how the land use equilibrium will be affected by changes in the landownership parameter $\alpha$ and other parameters such as household incomes and populations. This model, however, should be viewed as a simple prototype for introducing landownership into urban analysis. Thus, in the second model we replace $\alpha$-land with an arbitrary subset, say S, of the city\u27s land. In the context of this extended model, called an S-landownership model, we examine the existence and uniqueness of the residential equilibrium, and conduct comparative static analyses. Finally, in the third model, we extend the first model by introducing crowding externalities and examine the impact of the minimum lot size regulation on the land use equilibrium in order to remedy crowding externalities. Furthermore, we examine how the utility levels and the total land rent will be affected by changes in the landownership parameter