Skip to main content

Constitutional Economics

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
  • 85 Accesses

Abstract

The term Constitutional Economics (Constitutional Political Economy) was introduced to define and to classify a distinct strand of research inquiry and related policy discourse in the 1970s and beyond. The subject matter is not new or novel, and it may be argued that ‘constitutional economics’ is more closely related to the work of Adam Smith and the classical economists than its modern ‘non-constitutional’ counterpart. Both areas of inquiry involve positive analysis that is ultimately aimed at contributing to the discussion of policy questions. The difference lies in the level of or setting for analysis which, in turn, implies communication with different audiences.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   6,499.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD   8,499.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Brennan, G., and J.M. Buchanan. 1980. The power to tax: Analytical foundations of the fiscal constitution. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brennan, G., and J.M. Buchanan. 1985. The reason of rules: Constitutional political economy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buchanan, J.M. 1974. The limits of liberty: Between anarchy and leviathan. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buchanan, J.M., and G. Tullock. 1962. The calculus of consent: Logical foundations of constitutional democracy. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Buchanan, J.M., and R.E. Wagner. 1977. Democracy in deficit: The political legacy of Lord Keynes. New York: Academic.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frey, B. 1984. A new view of economics: Comparative analysis of institutions. Scelte Pubbliche 1: 17–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Furubotn, E.G, Richter, R. (eds). 1980. The new institutional economics – A symposium. Zeitschrift für die gesamte Staatswissenschaft, 140.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayek, F.A. 1973–1979. Law, legislation, and liberty, 3 vols. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hume, David. 1741. On the interdependency of parliament. In Essays, moral, political and literary. London: Oxford University Press, 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKenzie, R. 1982. Bound to be free. Palo Alto: Hoover Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKenzie, R. (ed.). 1984. Constitutional economics. Lexington: Lexington Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mill, J.S. 1861. Considerations on representative government. In Essays on politics and society, vol. XIX of Collected works of J.S. Mill. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • North, D.C., and R.P. Thomas. 1973. The rise of the western world: A new economic history. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Rawls, J. 1971. A theory of justice. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wicksell, K. 1896. Finanztheoretische Untersuchungen. Jena: Gustav Fischer. Central portions of this work were published in English translation as ‘A new principle of just taxation’. In Classics in the theory of public finance, ed. R.A. Musgrave and A.T. Peacock. London: Macmillan, 1959.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Copyright information

© 2018 Macmillan Publishers Ltd.

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Buchanan, J.M. (2018). Constitutional Economics. In: The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95189-5_235

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics