The assumption that we can keep societies open and free to everybody is going to have to stop. We are going to have to recognize that some people simply are not qualified and do not want to belong a civil… — James M. Buchanan Copy Share Image
Politicians and bureaucrats are no different from the rest of us. They will maximize their incentives just like everybody else. — James M. Buchanan Copy Share
Politics is a romantic search for the good and the true and the beautiful. — James M. Buchanan Copy Share
People share a universal behavioural trait: if there are profits to be made, the effort to get that money will attract investment. This is… — James M. Buchanan Copy Share
If you have an area where high-income receivers concentrate, you have a higher fiscal capacity. That fiscal capacity is a valuable resource and will… — James M. Buchanan Copy Share
How would the US be different today if people coming off the boat were greeted with a welfare check instead of a shovel? — James M. Buchanan Copy Share
“The elementary and basic approach that I suggest places “the theory of markets” and not the “theory of resource allocation” at center stage. My… — James M. Buchanan Copy Share
It is much more difficult to get implemented politically what might be desirable economically. Even if you came out with an economic argument in… — James M. Buchanan Copy Share
You can get a coalition of senators from particular states in America, for example, who want to construct highways or dams or ports which… — James M. Buchanan Copy Share
“Despotism may be the only organizational alternative to the political structure that we observe.” — James M. Buchanan Copy Share
Imagine that Queen Elizabeth I, in her time, had the opportunity to give out a monopoly for playing cards within the kingdom. She knew… — James M. Buchanan Copy Share
You have to have a government to provide you with legal order, with stability, enforcement of property rights, enforcement of contracts, definition of rules… — James M. Buchanan Copy Share
The assumption that we can keep societies open and free to everybody is going to have to stop. We are going to have to… — James M. Buchanan Copy Share
If you are going to spend for one group, you have to spend the same for every group, just like if you tax one… — James M. Buchanan Copy Share
Liberals have lost the soul. We haven't recognized the necessity of defending our own system at the level of ideas. We have to get… — James M. Buchanan Copy Share
I think the world has changed dramatically since September 11th. It should force us to recognize that we are going to have to defend… — James M. Buchanan Copy Share
