Review - Book Report/Review Example

24 January, Rational planning and the Review: “Rationality planning and the state” is a very thought provoking article by (Darke). Darke has made a very good attempt to define “rationality” in his own way that may / may not be very rational. The article begins by discussing the conventional ways in which rationality is defined that frequently give rise to dualism of rationality and various thinking and acting modes. Darke is against the belief that behavior patterns should be aligned with the objectives in order to attain them.

Darke draws the definition of approaches to rationality from their context. Darke emphasizes upon an ideological use of rationality. Likewise, planning also leads to divergent consequences. The overall approach Darke has adopted towards explaining rationality, planning and their interrelationship is quite controversial, doubtful and critical. It lacks an element of optimism. Darke has adequately discussed various traits and types of rationality and clarified general misconceptions relating to the term.

This has been followed by discussion on rationality in context of professions and then the state. Darke considers it wrong to modify behaviors to make them conducive for attainment of specific goals because “…it fails to take account of the changing interpretations and forms of rationality which occur historically” (Darke 25). Overall language of the article is quite simple. Ideas are well related and the article has been structured nicely so as to maintain a flow of argument. Darke has made use of realistic examples and the ideas are coherent.

The article can suitably be chosen for provoking debate on rationality and planning. Rationality Revisited: Planning Paradigms in a Post-Postmodernist Perspective Review: This article has been written by Ernest R. Alexander. There has been considerable research on the relationship between rationality and planning. However, many doubts have surfaced apropos the rational planning’s future in the contemporary society. (Aexander) has made a good attempt to identify, define and align various kinds of rationality in order to assert that the term “rationality” actually is a term, quite broader in nature as compared to the instrumental rationality that is conventionally linked with planning.

Alexander has made use of a comprehensive framework in order to explain the relationship between complementary paradigms of planning and the different types of rationality so as to prove that the link between rationality and planning is still as strong as it ever was. Alexander has fundamentally tried to assert through his paper that there should be no doubt about the relationship between planning and rationality. Hence, the widespread debate in the contemporary age should tend to identify the traits of rationality and planning that apply in specific cases, contexts and matters.

Identification of these combinations is important in order to find out “How can rationality (in its different forms) make planning better and more effective?” (Alexander 252). The article offers a comprehensive discussion of the various ways in which rationality and planning are logically linked with each other, and sufficiently addresses the curiosity of critics that tend to deny their interrelationship. It is a well-structured argumentative paper, that tends to mould the discussion about rationality and planning towards a more constructive way.

Works cited: Alexander, Ernest R. “Rationality Revisited: Planning Paradigms in a Post-Postmodernist Perspective.” Journal of Planning Education and Research. vol. 19. issue 242. (2000): 242-256. Print. Darke, Roy. Rational planning and the state. pp. 15-25.