Individualism and Political Disorder

The late James M. Buchanan, 1986 Nobel Laureate in Economics and Professor Emeritus, George Mason University and Yong J. Yoon, Associate Professor, George Mason University, US

Inspired by F.A. Hayek’s Individualism and Economic Order, this book also stands in contrast to the themes of that work, by emphasizing that collective action works differently from the way the market works. The chapters comprise papers written by James M.Buchanan, both with and without Yoon’s co-authorship, after the publication of his Collected Work volumes. These chapters reflect the authors' thoughts on politics, seen through the lens of fiscal policy and the tragedies of the commons and anti-commons in collective action. The pathologies of democratic politics rigorously analyzed in the book prove the relevance of Buchanan's constitutionalism

这些利益的强烈推荐这本书ed in political economy and public economics. It contains gems from a two-decade collaboration that was both productive and relevant to the political economy of our times. And, like with other works of Buchanan, the reader walks away with a deeper understanding of the systemic reasons for dysfunction, and reasons for hope in constitutional change of the rules of the game that will be able to fix the dysfunctions previously diagnosed.’
– Peter J Boettke, Œconomia

‘In these creative and imaginative essays, James M. Buchanan and Yong J. Yoon explore new analytical territory by explaining how democratic politics can generate economic disorder. While some of these themes are present throughout Buchanan’s scholarly oeuvre, these essays break new analytical ground by examining the ability of democratic processes to promote destructive outcomes in the absence of appropriate constitutional restraints on democratic action. These articles and excerpts will repay careful study by all scholars interested in the relationship between democracy, liberty, and economic progress.’
– Richard E. Wagner, George Mason University, US