In-depth study of classic masterpieces in the fields of public administration and public policy to enlighten thinking and inspire ideas is an important part of MPA education. On the evening of January 8, 2026, a new session of the MPA Prudence Lecture series was successfully held by the School of Public Administration, South China University of Technology. Associate Professor Li Helou from the School of Public Administration was invited as the keynote speaker. Starting with the Cuban Missile Crisis case in the book *The Essence of Decision*, Professor Li elaborated on three analytical paradigms of government decision-making behavior and taught how to use theoretical tools for analysis and evidence collection, providing very useful guidance for students in academic research and thesis writing on government behavior.

Starting with the rational action model, Professor Li discussed the importance of theoretical selection in understanding historical events, and deeply analyzed the two paradigms of organizational behavior and political game. He pointed out that national behavior is the result of rational calculation by decision-makers to maximize their strategic goals at the lowest cost. Professor Li summarized the core connotations of the three major public decision-making paradigms respectively: the rational action paradigm regards the state as a rational decision-making subject but is difficult to explain specific fragmented phenomena; the organizational behavior paradigm focuses on the impact of organizational routines and inertia on decision-making; the governmental politics paradigm focuses on interest game and divergence coordination within the decision-making system. Meanwhile, Professor Li emphasized that theoretical analysis is the precursor of empirical research, and the selection of data types and research methods should closely revolve around theoretical interpretation and research hypotheses to avoid blind investigation divorced from theoretical frameworks.

By analyzing classic masterpieces with theoretical empowerment and case evidence, Professor Li brought an academic feast to MPA students of the school. This lecture provided diversified analytical ideas and practical methods for MPA students to conduct government behavior research, integrating research and thinking with multiple perspectives, which is of great guiding significance for their future academic exploration and practical investigation.