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Maximizing Behavior and Market Forces
The Microfoundations of Spontaneous Order Theorizing in Gordon Tullock’s Contributions to Smithian Political Economy
Originally published in Public Choice
This paper explores the microfoundations of Gordon Tullock’s contributions to political economy and argues that his approach is consistent with the “invisible hand” theorizing of Adam Smith.
This paper explores the microfoundations of Gordon Tullock's contributions to political economy and argues that his approach is consistent with the "invisible hand" theorizing of Adam Smith. While Smith (and Hayek) are celebrated for their emphasis on the "bright-side" of spontaneous social cooperation, Tullock emphasized the "dark-side" of social processes when the incentives are perverse and information is distorted. By explicating the microfoundations of Tullock's rendering of Smithian political economy this paper will set the stage for a reassessment of Tullock as a spontaneous order theorist.
Read the article at SpringerLink.
Citation (Chicago Style): Boettke, Peter J. "Maximizing Behavior & Market Forces: The Microfoundations of Spontaneous Order Theorizing in Gordon Tullock's Contributions to Smithian Political Economy." Public Choice 135, nos. 1-2 (2008): 3-10.
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