James Buchanan and Peaceful Cooperation

The book explores the evolution of James Buchanan's belief in the inherent willingness of individuals to cooperate, tracing its development from his work in public finance to public choice theory. It adopts a historical perspective to illustrate how he formulated his theory of collective action, emphasizing his ideas on cooperation in small groups and the pricing of public goods. Key influences, encounters, and challenges that shaped Buchanan's philosophy over two decades are examined, highlighting the continuity in his thought process and theoretical revisions.