Who Was James M. Buchanan Jr.?

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Updated February 28, 2023
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James M. Buchanan Jr. was an American economist who earned the Nobel Prize in economics in 1986 for his contribution to public choice theory, which uses economics to analyze the behavior of voters and public officials.

He is the author of several books, including What Should Economists Do?, The Limits of Liberty, and The Calculus of Consent with Gordon Tullock.

James M. Buchanan Jr. died on Jan. 9, 2013.

Key Takeaways

  • James M. Buchanan Jr. received the Nobel Prize in economics in 1986.
  • He developed the public choice theory with fellow economist, Gordon Tullock.
  • Buchanan's work in economics helped establish the Center for Study of Public Choice at George Mason University,
James M. Buchanan Jr.

Investopedia / Julie Bang

Early Life and Education

James M. Buchanan Jr. was born Oct. 3, 1919, in Murfreesboro, Tenn. He earned a bachelor's degree at Middle Tennessee State College in 1940 and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1948.

From 1956 to 1968, Buchanan served as a professor at the University of Virginia, where he founded the Thomas Jefferson Center for Studies in Political Economy. He taught at UCLA and Virginia Tech from 1968 to 1983 before moving to George Mason University, where he retired with emeritus status.

Public Choice Theory

In 1962, along with fellow economist Gordon Tullock, James M. Buchanan Jr. wrote The Calculus of Consent, which presents the basic principles of public choice theory. The book is regarded as a reference to the discipline of public choice in political science and economics.

The public choice theory applies economics to political decision-making and defies the conventional beliefs that politicians act in the best interest of their constituents. It evaluates how incentives and personal gain shape politicians' choices. Buchanan's insights into human nature and political outcomes provide an understanding of the perks that motivate political actors and allow for more accurate predictions of political decisions.In 1986, Buchanan was awarded the Nobel Prize in economics for "his development of the contractual and constitutional bases for the theory of economic and political decision-making."

The Center for Public Choice at George Mason University builds on the groundbreaking economic and political science theories for which Buchanan was awarded the Nobel Prize. As a research program, public choice extends the tools of economics to analyze the behavior of voters, candidates, legislators, bureaucrats, and judges. Created in 1957 at the University of Virginia, the Center was initially called the Thomas Jefferson Center for Studies in Political Economy. In 1969, the Center moved to Virginia Tech and, in 1983, to George Mason University, where it operates today.

What Areas of Economics Influenced James M. Buchanan Jr.?

Buchanan explored several different economic schools of thought, including libertarianism and free-market thinking.

What Is the Difference Between Public Choice Theory and Social Choice Theory?

Public choice theory is closely related to social choice theory. Both of these schools of thought are classified under the study of public economics. However, the social choice theory is a mathematical approach to the combined variables of individual interests, included in public choice theory, and how those interests affect voter behavior.

What Leadership Positions Did James M. Buchanan Jr. Hold?

Buchanan served as a member of the Board of Advisors of the Independent Institute, a member and former president of the Mont Pelerin Society, and a Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Cato Institute.

The Bottom Line

James M. Buchanan Jr. pioneered the economic theory of public choice and challenged the notion that politicians act solely on behalf of their constituents and concluded that self-interest and incentives are often motivators for civil servants and elected officials.

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  1. The Nobel Prize. "James M. Buchanan, Jr. - Biographical."

  2. San Jose State University Economics Department. "Public Choice Theory."

  3. The Nobel Prize. "Press release."

  4. George Mason University. "Public Choice."

  5. Cato Institute. "James M. Buchanan (1919 - 2013)."