Public Choice Analyses of American Economic History

Book excerpt: This book - the second of two volumes- looks at episodes in American economic history from a public choice perspective. Each chapter discusses citizens, special interests, and government officials responding to economic incentives in both markets and politics. In doing so, the book provides fresh insights into important periods of American history, from the First Nationalist Movement of 1783 to the perpetual renewal of the Federal Reserve in 1927. This volume features the work of prominent economic historians such as Hugh Rockoff; well-known public choice scholars such as Joshua Hall and J.R. Clark; and younger scholars such as Marcus Witcher and Zachary Gocenour. This book will be useful for researchers and students interested in economics, history, political science, economic history, public choice, and political economy.