Comparative politics is the study of institutions, policymaking, and, most importantly, how to achieve an individual's most desired outcome. Being able to achieve a desired outcome is an important skill at the individual level as well as the governmental level. How you go about achieving these goals is also an important process. Rational thinking, tragedy of the commons, stationary bandit, manipulation, tragedy of the commons, and many other methods can be used to achieve a favored goal. Rational thinking is a driving force behind decision making. Rational thinking is the belief that people will act in their own self-interest to achieve the outcome they most desire. Sometimes rational thinking can lead to societal unrest, because when everyone acts in their own self-interest, the group tends to suffer. This is seen in the theory of the tragedy of the commons, which is based on the belief that everyone will act in their own self-interest and destroy the common good. This is seen today in the overfishing of the oceans. As we can read in “An investigation into the sea, a second autumn”, fishermen abuse the ocean by overfishing. In an attempt to remain competitive with other fishermen, they extract from the ocean too quickly and devastate fish populations. While this is good for them and their profits, it harms the rest of the world that depends on our oceans. In the Economist article “Going with the herd,” parents choose not to vaccinate their children because of the risks associated with vaccines. They also believe that if every second child is vaccinated, it doesn't matter if their child isn't, because no one will catch the disease. They would be "free ride" or receive the entire ...... middle of paper ......t. 2011. http://www.economist.com/node/8810963 "A study of the sea: a second fall." Economist. May 21, 1998: Internet. October 12, 2011. “Bird brains”. Economist. 22 November 2001: Web. October 12, 2011. “Going with the Herd.” Economist April 9, 1998: Web. October 12, 2011. .Huston, Warner. raised taxes?." Canadian Free Press. February 08, 2011: Web. October 12, 2011. .Landon, Thomas. "Greece near the precipice, sparking fear." New York Times September 19, 2011. "Scheme, stonewall and fulminate. July 21, 2011. Web. October 12, 2011. Shepsle, Kenneth..