Rational Choice Theory and an Example of How It Applies
Introduction

When it comes to explaining disorder in neighborhoods and communities, there are many theories that can be applied. Broken Windows Theory, for example, posited that crime comes to communities when community members allow their neighborhood to get rundown and fail to clean up graffiti, litter or abandoned buildings. Another theory, which this paper will examine, is the theory of rational choice, which can be used to explain how and why people make decisions in their lives and in their communities that have an impact on the order in the neighborhood. This paper will discuss how rational theory can be applied to the neighborhood of Over-the-Rhine in downtown Cincinnati, which has attracted a great deal of attention from city planners and community organizers over the past century due to its historic landmarks and character and the need for the area to be revitalized to help support the city’s overall plan to clean up the community and attract new investment.

Problem Statement

Understanding how communities operate and how disorder impacts neighborhoods from a criminological perspective is important for developing appropriate measures and policies to prevent crime, disorder and problems in the future. In neighborhoods where there is a need for improvement, the city has to implement the most effective strategies for decreasing the risk of crime. Applying the right theoretical perspective is essential in the development of that strategy.

Framework and Assumptions

The framework applied to this study is based on the utilitarian principle that right and wrong are determined by what benefits society the most (Cahn & Markie, 2011). The utilitarian principle serves also as the basis of rational choice theory, from the criminological standpoint, in that individuals are viewed as having needs, such as things like security, safety, money, happiness, and so on, and that their situational status will impact the choices they make on how to fulfill their needs (Cornish & Clarke, 1987). This theory assumes that individualism is a primary aspect of who people are; that they are primarily concerned with self-interest after all is said and done; and that their main method of seeking self-interest is to maximize their returns.

Literature Review

There are various ways to think about how rational choice applies to the real world. Criminologists must consider a variety of perspectives and variables when using the lens of rational theory. For example, they might note that a pleasure-pain principle applies to the decision-making process for most individuals. In any community, a rational individual is going to make decisions based on whether the outcome will yield pleasure or pain. The concept of deterrence theory is based on this idea: deterrents in society are placed so as to heighten individuals’ awareness of the pain that will be experienced following a bad decision—such as deciding to steal, rob, beat, kill or rape. Punishment as a form of deterrence fits into the rational choice model, as one of the possible considerations that a rational actor should think about when deciding on a course of action (Lyman, Potter, 2007).

How communities are arranged or how they succumb to disorder can be explained by social disorganization theory and by social control theory. For example, in a neighborhood that lacks unity, the characteristics of communal responsibility, and the qualities of communal care will likely attract criminal elements which seek to capitalize off the disorganization in the community which creates a gap for them to operate in. Social control theory posits that opportunities for control are what generate the most appeal for individuals seeking to gain from unethical decision-making and practices (Takagi, Ikeda, Kobayashi, Harihara & Kawachi, 2016). In any case, these theories generally are supported by the rational choice model, as each contains an element of the pleasure-pain principle and the utilitarian principle of maximizing the common good vs. pursuing one’s own self-interest.

Rational Choice Theory

The underlying idea in rational choice theory is that individuals will weigh the costs and benefits—the pleasure or pain—that a decision will likely yield for them. This is why the theory is based in the concept of self-interest, because it is assumed that individuals act in ways that they perceive to be in their best self-interest, even if they are ultimately wrong or misguided as to what would really be in their best interest (Miller, 2001). The limitations of rational choice theory are built-in to the assumptions at the heart of the theory: for instance, it cannot be said that every action is based on the rational assessment of whether the outcome will bring pleasure or pain. Not every action has the same etiology: or, as Gibbs (1987) points out, “each theory should be limited to one type of crime if only because it is unlikely that any etiological or reactive variable is relevant for all crimes” (p. 830). In other words, when assessing human behavior, rational choice theory will be applicable in certain instances—but most certainly not in all instances, such as those in which passion is a primary cause of action. However, for assessing community organization and the impact of disorder in the community, rational choice theory can serve as a suitable approach, as passion is less likely to be a major factor in the way the community is organized.

Historical Background

The historical background of rational choice theory is that it stems from social disorganization theory, described above, along with systematic crime theory. The idea was developed by Sutherland and focused on how when families break down and dissolve, communities become disorganized. Culture plays a large part in how well organized a community will be because culture informs and guides the ways in which families will develop, which in turn provides the mechanism...…location has thus shown that just because there is benefit to be had for the common good, not all members of the community are going to go along with the main idea of benefitting the common good and will look to benefit themselves.

Programs and Initiatives Attempted in the Location

An equal housing opportunity program has been promoted in the community to ensure that low-income families can remain in the community. However, low-income housing will be difficult to justify as more and more investment comes into the region. Major renovations have occurred and the city has moved the homeless shelter to the southwest district out of Over-the-Rhine. The homeless are still gathering in Washington Park and recent shootings in Fountain Square have led to demands for increased police presence in the community. Drug abuse (heroin) is still a major problem. Renovation continues nonetheless.

Effect

The effect of these initiatives in the community has been an increase in the city’s marketability, which the major corporations in town have used to try to attract new talent to the region. These companies depend upon a thriving city and culture for attracting Millennials and the new Over-the-Rhine has given them that opportunity. Low-income families, however, and those activists who are left of the Buddy Gray days are still not happy with the gentrification as they feel they and their life’s work to protect the homeless and low-income groups is now being destroyed.

Recommendations for Addressing Disorder in the Location

Disorder continues to exist in the community as two competing groups now seem to be trying to edge the other out: the investors and business owners and the low-income families, criminal element, and activists are at odds with one another. The city is on the side of the business element and needs the tax revenue badly. The recommendation for bringing order to the location, therefore, is to increase a police presence and abandon the attempt at political correctness by removing all low-income housing from the area. New housing projects can be made available on the outskirts of town to assist those who need it. The city’s books depend upon order and new economic life being brought to Over-the-Line, so this should receive top priority, as hard as that may seem to the activists who worked under Gray in the past. This is the most rational way to approach the problem.

Conclusion

Rational choice theory can be used to help solve the disorder problem in Over-the-Rhine by showing what is in the best interest of the common good for the city. The city needs to finish rehabilitating the area before crime re-emerges to drive out investors. This has to be done quickly while the area is still attractive to consumers so that the local corporations can benefit from the revitalization and bring new economic life to the city and its coffers.