Public Choice: A Primer offers a clear, accessible introduction to public choice theory for readers who want to understand politics through an economic lens. Dr. John M. Cobin explains how the tools of economic analysis-self-interest, incentives, rational actors-apply to voters, politicians, and bureaucrats alike, revealing why democratic government so often produces outcomes nobody wants. Drawing on the work of Buchanan, Tullock, and other public choice pioneers, this primer covers rent-seeking, regulatory capture, the tragedy of the commons, and the limits of majority rule. Written for the interested layperson rather than the specialist, it is an ideal starting point for anyone who wants to think clearly and soberly about the politics that shapes their lives.
