The Dark Side of Planning: Rationality and 'Realrationalität'

Seymour J. Mandelbaum, Luigi Mazza, and Robert W. Burchell, eds., Explorations in Planning Theory, New Brunswick, NJ: Center for Urban Policy Research Press, 1996, pp. 383-394

12 Pages Posted: 13 Jun 2013 Last revised: 8 Nov 2013

See all articles by Bent Flyvbjerg

Bent Flyvbjerg

University of Oxford - Said Business School; IT University of Copenhagen; St Anne's College, University of Oxford

Date Written: 1996

Abstract

Niccolò Machiavelli, the founder of modern political and administrative thought, made clear that an understanding of politics requires distinguishing between formal politics and what later, with Ludwig von Rochau, would become known as Realpolitik. No such distinction has been employed in the study of rationality. Yet I will argue that distinguishing between formal rationality and real rationality is as important for the understanding of rationality and planning as the distinction between formal politics and Realpolitik has been for understanding politics.

Suggested Citation

Flyvbjerg, Bent, The Dark Side of Planning: Rationality and 'Realrationalität' (1996). Seymour J. Mandelbaum, Luigi Mazza, and Robert W. Burchell, eds., Explorations in Planning Theory, New Brunswick, NJ: Center for Urban Policy Research Press, 1996, pp. 383-394, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2278431

Bent Flyvbjerg (Contact Author)

University of Oxford - Said Business School ( email )

Oxford
Great Britain

IT University of Copenhagen ( email )

Copenhagen
Denmark

St Anne's College, University of Oxford ( email )

Oxford
United Kingdom

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