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Thinking Things Through: The Value and Limitations of James Buchanan's Public Choice Theory

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  • Bart Engelen

Abstract

James Buchanan, one of the founders of Public Choice theory, applies the conceptual apparatus of economics to the public domain. This article investigates which assumptions are crucial to Buchanan's project, concentrating on methodological individualism and the Homo Economicus model. It shows that Buchanan from time to time moves away from these economic concepts, though only in minor ways. The article also focuses on Buchanan's normative emphasis on the role of institutions in coordinating self-interested individual actions in mutually beneficial ways. Criticizing Buchanan's analysis, the article argues that a broader view of the individual and of the role of institutions is necessary in a theory of constitutional choice.

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  • Bart Engelen, 2007. "Thinking Things Through: The Value and Limitations of James Buchanan's Public Choice Theory," Review of Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(2), pages 165-180.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:revpoe:v:19:y:2007:i:2:p:165-180
    DOI: 10.1080/09538250701256714
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    Cited by:

    1. Deserai Crow, 2009. "Responsive Public Officials and Engaged Citizens: Myth or Reality? A Case Study of Water Rights Policy in Colorado," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 9(2), pages 119-138, June.
    2. Vicini, Andrea, 2011. "The Public Choice and the traditional view of political science," MPRA Paper 60238, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised Oct 2014.
    3. Dominik Aaken & Andreas Ostermaier & Arnold Picot, 2014. "Privacy and Freedom: An Economic (Re-)Evaluation of Privacy," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 67(2), pages 133-155, May.
    4. Shengyue Fan & Xijing Luo & Peitao Han, 2023. "Conflict Resolution between Multi-Level Government and Farmers in Land Expropriation Based on Institutional Credibility Theory: Empirical Evidence from Shandong Province, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-22, April.

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