Antonio de Viti de Marco


Book Description

This book provides insight into the remarkable life and work of the Italian economist Antonio de Viti de Marco (1858-1943). This book presents eleven interviews with American and Italian scholars from various disciplines that provide a profile of this major intellectual as an economic theorist, politician, and individual. He was the founder of the pure theory of Public Finance, played an important role in the foundation of Public Choice, and was also a staunch liberal and radical politician. An English translation of one of his books, made as early as 1936, greatly influenced James M. Buchanan, Nobel prize-winner for economics.




Handbook of Public Finance


Book Description

The Handbook of Public Finance provides a definitive source, reference, and text for the field of public finance. In 18 chapters it surveys the state of the art - the tradition and breadth of the field but also its current status and recent developments. The Handbook's intellectual foundation and orientation is truly multidisciplinary. Throughout its examination of the standard material of public finance, it explores the connections between that material and such neighboring fields as political science, sociology, law, and public administration. The editors and contributors to the Handbook are distinguished scholars who write clearly and accessibly about the political economy of government budgets and their policy implications. To address the needs and interests of international scholars, they place European issues next to the American agenda and give attention to the issues of transformation in Central Eastern Europe and elsewhere. General Editors: Jürgen G. Backhaus, University of Erfurt Richard E. Wagner, George Mason University Contributors: Andy H. Barnett, Charles B. Blankart, Thomas E. Borcherding, Rainald Borck, Geoffrey Brennan, Giuseppe Eusepi, J. Stephen Ferris, Fred E. Folvary, Andrea Garzoni, Heinz Grossekettaler, Walter Hettich, Scott Hinds, Randall G. Holcombe, Jean-Michel Josselin, Carla Marchese, Alain Marciano, William S. Peirce, Nicholas Sanchez, David Schap, A. Allan Schmid, Russell S. Sobel, Stanley L. Winer, Bruce Yandle.




The Political Economy of Public Debt


Book Description

How have the most influential political economists of the past three centuries theorized about sovereign borrowing and shaped its now widespread use? That important question receives a comprehensive answer in this original work, featuring careful textual analysis and illuminating exhibits of public debt empirics since 1700. Beyond its value as a definitive, authoritative history of thought on public debt, this book rehabilitates and reintroduces a realist perspective into a contemporary debate now heavily dominated by pessimists and optimists alike.




Politics as a Peculiar Business


Book Description

Economists typically treat government as something outside the business realm, a sort of “Lord of the Manor”. Richard Wagner argues that this is the wrong approach and can ultimately be destructive to capitalism and to society. Modern governments are a peculiar form of business enterprise. They face the same problems as regular businesses, such as ascertaining demand and organizing production, and act within the system in a way that can lead to a parasitical relationship with the market. Largely rooted in political economy, this book develops new theoretical ideas and formulations to explain why democracy is a difficult form of government to maintain. The author explores how and why limited governments can morph into a system of destructive politics, and looks at ways to escape this process. This dynamic book will be useful for public choice scholars, economists, political scientists, and lawyers who are interested in political economy in its various guises.




A History of Economic Theory and Method


Book Description

Known for its clarity, comprehensiveness, and balance, the latest edition of A History of Economic Theory and Method continues that tradition of excellence. Ekelund and Hébert’s survey provides historical and international contexts for how economic models have served social needs throughout the centuries—beginning with the ancient Greeks through the present time. The authors not only trace ideas that have persisted but skillfully demonstrate that past, discredited ideas also have a way of spawning critical thinking and encouraging new directions in economic analysis. Coverage that distinguishes the Sixth Edition from its predecessors includes a detailed analysis of economic solutions by John Stuart Mill and Edwin Chadwick to problems raised by the Industrial Revolution; the role of psychology and “experiments” in understanding demand and consumer behavior; discussions of modern economic theory as it interrelates with other social sciences; and a close look at the historical development of the critical role of entrepreneurship, both in its productive and unproductive variants. The authors’ creative approach gives readers a feel for the thought processes of the great minds in economics and underscores key ideas impacting contemporary thought and practice. Well-crafted discussions are further enriched by absorbing examples and figures. Thorough suggested reading lists give options for more in-depth explorations by interested readers.







Journal of Public Finance and Public Choice n. 1-3/2013


Book Description

Contents Anthony De Jasay The Python That Eats Itself By The Tail Sergio Beraldo – Enrico Colombatto – Valerio Filoso – Marco Stimolo Growth in One (Short) Lesson Franklin G. Mixon Jr. The Allocation of Death in the Afghanistan War Remembering James Buchanan Richard E. Wagner – Francesco Forte – Domenico da Empoli Forum on public procurement, quality of expenditure and saving Emma Galli Introduction Sergio Santoro Reference Prices and Standard Costs in Public Procurement as Tools against Corruption Claudio De Rose Corruption in Public Procurement: How to Fight and Prevent It? Mario Lupo Contracts of Public Works: How to Guarantee Low Prices Without Reducing Quality Ilde Rizzo Efficiency and Integrity Issues in Public Procurement Performance Gabriella M. Racca The Risks of Emergencies in Public Procurement Gian Luigi Albano On the Problem of Quality Enforcement in Centralized Public Procurement Symposium Domenico da Empoli On Federalism and Government Size David Hebert – Richard E. Wagner Taxation as a Quasi-Market Process Richard E. Wagner – Akira Yohoyama Polycentrism, Federalism, and Liberty Yong J. Yoon – William F. Shughart II Stackelberg on the Danube River Reviews




Handbook on the History of Economic Analysis Volume I


Book Description

Volume I contains original biographical profiles of many of the most important and influential economists from the seventeenth century to the present day. These inform the reader about their lives, works and impact on the further development of the discipline. The emphasis is on their lasting contributions to our understanding of the complex system known as the economy. The entries also shed light on the means and ways in which the functioning of this system can be improved and its dysfunction reduced.




Italian Economists of the 20th Century


Book Description

Italian Economists of the 20th Century provides a unique up-to-date assessment and appreciation of the work of 12 pioneering economists. The essays - written by a group of leading international scholars - are a fitting tribute to the important contribution that Italian economists have made to 20th century economics.




Studies in the History of Public Economics


Book Description

Many important economic and political debates today refer to the nature and the role of the State: should governments intervene in the economy and interfere with the operation of markets? In which occasions, and how? In order to better understand these questions and the controversies they have raised, this book re-considers the debates crucial for the issues at stake, the most important schools of thought, and the central concepts in an historical perspective. After a tribute to Sir Alan Peacock and the first publication of two hitherto unpublished papers written in the 1950s, the chapters focus on important developments that occurred in Europe during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The final part includes contributions on public economics after World War II, focusing on concepts such as merit goods, externalities and the “Coase theorem”. This book was originally published as a special issue of The European Journal of the History of Economic Thought.