SettingsPublic choice theory
Advocacy group
Advocacy groups use various forms of advocacy to influence public opinion and/or policy; they have played and continue to play an important part in the development of political and social systems.
Advocacy groups use various forms of advocacy to influence public opinion and/or policy; they have played and continue to play an important part in the development of political and social systems.
Anthony Downs
Anthony Downs is a noted scholar in public policy and public administration, and since 1977 is a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington D.C.
Anthony Downs is a noted scholar in public policy and public administration, and since 1977 is a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington D.C.
Antonio De Viti De Marco
Antonio De Viti De Marco (1858–1943) was an Italian economist.
Antonio De Viti De Marco (1858–1943) was an Italian economist.
Bootleggers and Baptists
Bootleggers and Baptists, is a model of politics in which opposite moral positions lead to the same vote.
Bootleggers and Baptists, is a model of politics in which opposite moral positions lead to the same vote.
Bruce Yandle
Bruce Yandle is Dean Emeritus of Clemson University's College of Business & Behavioral Science and Alumni Distinguished Professor of Economics Emeritus at Clemson.
Bruce Yandle is Dean Emeritus of Clemson University's College of Business & Behavioral Science and Alumni Distinguished Professor of Economics Emeritus at Clemson.
Bryan Caplan
Bryan Caplan is an American economist, a Professor of Economics at George Mason University, Research Fellow at the Mercatus Center, adjunct scholar of the Cato Institute, and blogger for Econlog.
Bryan Caplan is an American economist, a Professor of Economics at George Mason University, Research Fellow at the Mercatus Center, adjunct scholar of the Cato Institute, and blogger for Econlog.
Budget-maximizing model
Budget-maximizing model is an influential new stream of public choice theory and rational choice analysis in public administration inaugurated by William Niskanen, in 1971.
Budget-maximizing model is an influential new stream of public choice theory and rational choice analysis in public administration inaugurated by William Niskanen, in 1971.
Bundling (public choice)
Bundling is a political science concept involving selection of candidates for public office, and is often studied in public choice theory.
Bundling is a political science concept involving selection of candidates for public office, and is often studied in public choice theory.
Cardinal voting systems
Cardinal voting systems are voting systems which allow the voter to give each candidate an independent rating or grade from among at least two levels of approval.
Cardinal voting systems are voting systems which allow the voter to give each candidate an independent rating or grade from among at least two levels of approval.
Clientelism
A political machine (or simply machine) is a disciplined political organization in which an authoritative boss or small group commands the support of a corps of supporters and businesses (...
A political machine (or simply machine) is a disciplined political organization in which an authoritative boss or small group commands the support of a corps of supporters and businesses (...
Collective action
Collective action is the pursuit of a goal or set of goals by more than one person.
Collective action is the pursuit of a goal or set of goals by more than one person.
Crony capitalism
Crony capitalism is a term describing an economy in which success in business depends on close relationships between business people and government officials.
Crony capitalism is a term describing an economy in which success in business depends on close relationships between business people and government officials.
Cronyism
Cronyism is partiality to long-standing friends, especially by appointing them to positions of authority, regardless of their qualifications.
Cronyism is partiality to long-standing friends, especially by appointing them to positions of authority, regardless of their qualifications.
Dual mandate
A dual mandate is the practice in which elected officials served in more than one elected or other public position simultaneously.
A dual mandate is the practice in which elected officials served in more than one elected or other public position simultaneously.
E. G. West
Edwin G. West was an economist and economic historian, interested in the relationship between the state and the education sector.
Edwin G. West was an economist and economic historian, interested in the relationship between the state and the education sector.
Economic rent
Economic rent is technical terminology used by economists to define one aspect of the price of goods and services.
Economic rent is technical terminology used by economists to define one aspect of the price of goods and services.
Fiscal Illusion
Fiscal Illusion is a public choice theory of government expenditure first developed by the Italian economist Amilcare Puviani.
Fiscal Illusion is a public choice theory of government expenditure first developed by the Italian economist Amilcare Puviani.
Fiscal illusion
Fiscal illusion is a public choice theory of government expenditure first developed by the Italian economist Amilcare Puviani.
Fiscal illusion is a public choice theory of government expenditure first developed by the Italian economist Amilcare Puviani.
Gordon Tullock
Gordon Tullock is an economist and retired Professor of Law and Economics at the George Mason University School of Law.
Gordon Tullock is an economist and retired Professor of Law and Economics at the George Mason University School of Law.
Government failure
Government failure (or non-market failure) is the public sector analogy to market failure and occurs when a government intervention causes a more inefficient allocation of goods and resour...
Government failure (or non-market failure) is the public sector analogy to market failure and occurs when a government intervention causes a more inefficient allocation of goods and resour...
Gruppi di Acquisto Solidale
G.A.S. is an acronym for the Italian expression Gruppo di Acquisto Solidale.
G.A.S. is an acronym for the Italian expression Gruppo di Acquisto Solidale.
James M. Buchanan
James McGill Buchanan, Jr. (born October 3, 1919) is an American economist known for his work on public choice theory, for which he received the 1986 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences.
James McGill Buchanan, Jr. (born October 3, 1919) is an American economist known for his work on public choice theory, for which he received the 1986 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences.
Law of Privilege
A privilege is a special entitlement to immunity granted by the state or another authority to a restricted group, either by birth or on a conditional basis.
A privilege is a special entitlement to immunity granted by the state or another authority to a restricted group, either by birth or on a conditional basis.
Logrolling
Logrolling is the trading of favors, or quid pro quo, such as vote trading by legislative members to obtain passage of actions of interest to each legislative member.
Logrolling is the trading of favors, or quid pro quo, such as vote trading by legislative members to obtain passage of actions of interest to each legislative member.
Mancur Olson
Mancur Lloyd Olson, Jr. ( or ; January 22, 1932 – February 19, 1998) was a leading American economist and social scientist who, at the time of his death, worked at the University of Maryland, Co...
Mancur Lloyd Olson, Jr. ( or ; January 22, 1932 – February 19, 1998) was a leading American economist and social scientist who, at the time of his death, worked at the University of Maryland, Co...
Median voter theorem
The median voter theorem states that under certain assumptions, the outcome of the decision is the outcome most preferred by the median voter.
The median voter theorem states that under certain assumptions, the outcome of the decision is the outcome most preferred by the median voter.
Paradox of voting
The paradox of voting, also called Downs paradox, is that for a rational, self-interested voter the costs of voting will normally exceed the expected benefits.
The paradox of voting, also called Downs paradox, is that for a rational, self-interested voter the costs of voting will normally exceed the expected benefits.
Political machine
A political machine is a political organization in which an authoritative boss or small group commands the support of a corps of supporters and businesses, who receive rewards for their efforts.
A political machine is a political organization in which an authoritative boss or small group commands the support of a corps of supporters and businesses, who receive rewards for their efforts.
Pork barrel
Pork barrel refers to appropriation of government spending for localized projects secured solely or primarily to bring money to a representative's district.
Pork barrel refers to appropriation of government spending for localized projects secured solely or primarily to bring money to a representative's district.
Public choice theory
Public choice theory is the use of modern economic tools to study problems that traditionally are in the province of political science.
Public choice theory is the use of modern economic tools to study problems that traditionally are in the province of political science.
Public interest theory
Public interest theory is an economic theory first developed by Arthur Cecil Pigou that holds that regulation is supplied in response to the demand of the public for the correction of inefficien...
Public interest theory is an economic theory first developed by Arthur Cecil Pigou that holds that regulation is supplied in response to the demand of the public for the correction of inefficien...
Randall G. Holcombe
Randall Gregory Holcombe (born 1950) is an American economist, the DeVoe Moore Professor of Economics at Florida State University.
Randall Gregory Holcombe (born 1950) is an American economist, the DeVoe Moore Professor of Economics at Florida State University.
Rational ignorance
Rational ignorance occurs when the cost of educating oneself on an issue exceeds the potential benefit that the knowledge would provide.
Rational ignorance occurs when the cost of educating oneself on an issue exceeds the potential benefit that the knowledge would provide.
Rational irrationality
The concept known as Rational irrationality was introduced in The Myth of the Rational Voter.
The concept known as Rational irrationality was introduced in The Myth of the Rational Voter.
Red tape
"Red tape" is a term for excessive regulation or rigid conformity to formal rules that is considered redundant or bureaucratic and hinders or prevents action or decision-making.
"Red tape" is a term for excessive regulation or rigid conformity to formal rules that is considered redundant or bureaucratic and hinders or prevents action or decision-making.
Regulatory capture
In economics, regulatory capture occurs when a state regulatory agency, created to act in the public interest, instead advances the commercial or special interests that dominate the industry or ...
In economics, regulatory capture occurs when a state regulatory agency, created to act in the public interest, instead advances the commercial or special interests that dominate the industry or ...
Regulatory economics
Regulatory economics is the economics of regulation, in the sense of the application of law by government that is used for various purposes, such as centrally-planning an economy, remedying mark...
Regulatory economics is the economics of regulation, in the sense of the application of law by government that is used for various purposes, such as centrally-planning an economy, remedying mark...
Rent-seeking
In economics, rent-seeking is an attempt to obtain economic rent by manipulating the social or political environment in which economic activities occur, rather than by creating new wealth, for e...
In economics, rent-seeking is an attempt to obtain economic rent by manipulating the social or political environment in which economic activities occur, rather than by creating new wealth, for e...
Revolving door (politics)
In politics, the term "revolving door" refers to the movement of personnel between roles as legislators and regulators and the industries affected by the legislation and regulation.
In politics, the term "revolving door" refers to the movement of personnel between roles as legislators and regulators and the industries affected by the legislation and regulation.
Separability problem
The separability problem is a concept from the field of social choice theory that describes the situation where two or more issues up for vote on a ballot either are, or are perceived as, related.
The separability problem is a concept from the field of social choice theory that describes the situation where two or more issues up for vote on a ballot either are, or are perceived as, related.
Spin (public relations)
In public relations, spin is a form of propaganda, achieved through providing an interpretation of an event or campaign to persuade public opinion in favor or against a certain organization or p...
In public relations, spin is a form of propaganda, achieved through providing an interpretation of an event or campaign to persuade public opinion in favor or against a certain organization or p...
Tax choice
Tax choice, also known as Voting With Your Taxes, is the theory that taxpayers should have more of a say how their individual taxes are allocated.
Tax choice, also known as Voting With Your Taxes, is the theory that taxpayers should have more of a say how their individual taxes are allocated.
The Calculus of Consent
The Calculus of Consent: Logical Foundations of Constitutional Democracy is a book written by economists James M. Buchanan and Gordon Tullock in 1962.
The Calculus of Consent: Logical Foundations of Constitutional Democracy is a book written by economists James M. Buchanan and Gordon Tullock in 1962.
The Logic of Collective Action
The Logic of Collective Action: Public Goods and the Theory of Groups is a book by Mancur Olson, Jr. first published in 1965.
The Logic of Collective Action: Public Goods and the Theory of Groups is a book by Mancur Olson, Jr. first published in 1965.
The Myth of the Rational Voter: Why Democracies Choose Bad Policies
The Myth of the Rational Voter: Why Democracies Choose Bad Policies is a 2007 book written by Bryan Caplan challenging the notion that voters are reasonable people that society can trust to ...
The Myth of the Rational Voter: Why Democracies Choose Bad Policies is a 2007 book written by Bryan Caplan challenging the notion that voters are reasonable people that society can trust to ...
Tiebout model
The Tiebout model, also known as Tiebout sorting, Tiebout migration, or Tiebout hypothesis, is a positive political theory model first described by economist Charles Tiebout in...
The Tiebout model, also known as Tiebout sorting, Tiebout migration, or Tiebout hypothesis, is a positive political theory model first described by economist Charles Tiebout in...
Virginia school of political economy
The Virginia school of political economy is a term applied to a school of economic thought in originating in universities of Virginia centred successively at the University of Virginia, Virginia...
The Virginia school of political economy is a term applied to a school of economic thought in originating in universities of Virginia centred successively at the University of Virginia, Virginia...
Voting system
A voting system or electoral system is a method by which voters make a choice between options, often in an election or on a policy referendum.
A voting system or electoral system is a method by which voters make a choice between options, often in an election or on a policy referendum.
White elephant
A white elephant is an idiom for a valuable but burdensome possession of which its owner cannot dispose and whose cost is out of proportion to its usefulness or worth.
A white elephant is an idiom for a valuable but burdensome possession of which its owner cannot dispose and whose cost is out of proportion to its usefulness or worth.
William A. Niskanen
William Arthur Niskanen was an American economist noted as one of the architects of President Ronald Reagan's economic programme and for his contributions to public choice theory.
William Arthur Niskanen was an American economist noted as one of the architects of President Ronald Reagan's economic programme and for his contributions to public choice theory.