A classification of the methodology of James M. Buchanan from a multidisciplinary perspective

Gustavo Nunes Mourão () and Eduardo Angeli ()
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Gustavo Nunes Mourão: FAE Centro Universitário in Curitiba
Eduardo Angeli: Federal University of Paraná

Constitutional Political Economy, 2022, vol. 33, issue 4, No 2, 413-432

Abstract: Abstract James M. Buchanan (1919–2013) was notable for his contributions to different fields of Economics, being awarded with the Nobel Memorial Prize in this area in 1986. His methodology is characterized by three fundamental aspects: methodological individualism, a constitutional approach, and a contractarian political philosophy. In this paper, we explore the development of these features in Buchanan’s works and contrast them with alternative classifications in these categories by scholars in other areas of knowledge. We show that Buchanan’s individualism uses a concept of homo economicus that differs from most of his peers in economics. His constitutionalism follows a specific strand that differs from other constitutionalists of political science and law, and leads to his contractarianism, which also has its particularities within political philosophy and ethics.

Keywords: James M. Buchanan; Individualism; Constitutionalism; Contractarianism; Constitutional Political Economy; Buchanan’s Methodology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: B29 B31 B49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1007/s10602-021-09359-1

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