Jon Elster Bücher

Wenn Diktatoren stürzen, demontieren die Menschen Standbilder und Büsten, wie im Irak nach dem Sturz Saddam Husseins oder im Osten Deutschlands nach dem Fall der Mauer. Diese Szenen sind der Beginn einer viele Jahre währenden Aufarbeitung, bei der vor allem die Justiz gefordert ist, für Gerechtigkeit zu sorgen. Jon Elster behandelt historische Beispiele wie die athenische Demokratie, die französische Restauration 1814 / 15, Südafrika nach der Apartheid und die osteuropäischen Staaten nach 1989. Und er liefert einen reich dokumentierten, brillanten Vergleich der beiden deutschen Fälle nach 1945 und nach 1989. Er schildert den Aufbau der so genannten Übergangsjustiz und erklärt, warum in manchen Fällen die Täter hart, in anderen sehr milde bestraft werden, und warum den Opfern mal großzügige, mal gar keine Entschädigungen zugestanden werden. Er beschreibt die Zwänge und Grenzen der Justiz, die Rolle von Emotionen und die Brüche und Kontinuitäten, die in der Politik zu beobachten sind. Nur selten, so sein Fazit, erfolgt freilich ein radikaler Wechsel der politischen Führungsschicht – ein Ergebnis, das zu denken gibt.

A substantially revised edition of Jon Elster's critically acclaimed book exploring the nature of social behavior and the social sciences.

This book is Jon Elster's influential study of irrationality, challenging orthodox theories of rational choice.

Exploring the concept of constraint, this book presents the idea that limiting choices or embracing ignorance can sometimes benefit individuals. Through three detailed essays, it expands on themes from Jon Elster's earlier work, revealing common patterns in various examples of limited freedom. Elster introduces the innovative field of constraint theory, offering a fresh perspective on decision-making. Written in an engaging style, the book appeals to professionals and students across philosophy, political science, psychology, and economics.

The book presents an argument that positions Tocqueville primarily as a social scientist, shifting the focus from his political theory contributions. Elster highlights Tocqueville's significant substantive insights into society and his methodological approaches, showcasing how these elements are crucial for understanding his work and impact. This perspective invites readers to reconsider the broader implications of Tocqueville's analysis on social structures and dynamics.

Focusing on the epistemological aspects of technical change, Jon Elster explores how knowledge and understanding shape innovations and advancements. He delves into the processes that underpin technical development, examining the interplay between theory and practice. This volume offers a unique lens through which to analyze the impact of knowledge on technological progress, making it a thought-provoking read for those interested in the philosophy of science and technology.

This book is intended as an introductory survey of the philosophy of the social sciences. It is essentially a work of exposition that offers a tool box of mechanisms--nuts and bolts, cogs and wheels--that can be used to explain complex social phenomena. Within a brief compass, Jon Elster covers a vast range of topics. His point of departure is the conflict we all face between our desires and our opportunities. How can rational choice theory help us understand our motivation and behavior? More significantly, what happens when the theory breaks down but we still cleave to a belief in the power of the rational? Elster describes the fascinating range of forms of irrationality--wishful thinking, the phenomenon of sour grapes, discounting the future in non-cooperative behavior. He shows how these issues bear directly on our lives in such concrete situations as wage bargaining, economic cartels, political strikes, voting in elections, and court decisions involving child custody.

The book explores the concept of transitional justice in the aftermath of political regime changes, particularly from autocracy to democracy. John Elster analyzes various historical instances, including post-1945 Western Europe, post-1989 Eastern Europe, classical Greece, and transitions in Latin America and South Africa. He proposes a framework to understand the differences in how societies address past wrongdoings and compensate victims, highlighting the complexities and variations of these justice processes throughout history.