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The Quest for Meaning in Public Choice

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  • Elinor Ostrom
  • Vincent Ostrom

Abstract

. The logical foundations of constitutional government are of basic importance if people are to be self‐governing. All forms of political order are Faustian bargains subject to numerous risks. If constitutional choice applies to all patterns of human association, the complexity of associated relationships and the potential threats to the viability of associated relationships in the aggregate exceed the limits of human cognition. The development of analytical capabilities depends on using frameworks, theories, and models for formulating hypotheses about conditions and consequences, undertaking diagnostic assessments, and conceptualizing and designing alternative possibilities. The relationship of ideas to deeds in an experimental epistemology is necessary to achieve a warrantable art and science of association.

Suggested Citation

  • Elinor Ostrom & Vincent Ostrom, 2004. "The Quest for Meaning in Public Choice," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 63(1), pages 105-147, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ajecsc:v:63:y:2004:i:1:p:105-147
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1536-7150.2004.00277.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Giada de Marchi & Giulia Lucertini & Alexis Tsoukiàs, 2012. "From Evidence-Based Policy-Making to Policy Analytics," Working Papers hal-00875488, HAL.
    4. Aligica, Paul Dragos, 2013. "Institutional Diversity and Political Economy: The Ostroms and Beyond," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199843909.
    5. Paul Aligica, 2015. "Public Administration, Public Choice and the Ostroms: the achievements, the failure, the promise," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 163(1), pages 111-127, April.
    6. Sinner, Jim, 2004. "Efficiency = Equity and Other Musings on Economics and Sustainable Development," 2004 Conference, June 25-26, 2004, Blenheim, New Zealand 97778, New Zealand Agricultural and Resource Economics Society.
    7. Giada Marchi & Giulia Lucertini & Alexis Tsoukiàs, 2016. "From evidence-based policy making to policy analytics," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 236(1), pages 15-38, January.
    8. Javier Leonardo Garay Vargas & Juan Bautista Pavajeau, 2021. "Ideas erradas, acciones equivocadas : cómo el contexto internacional impide la generación de desarrollo," Books, Universidad Externado de Colombia, Facultad de Finanzas, Gobierno y Relaciones Internacionales, number 151, April.
    9. Benno Torgler, 2022. "The power of public choice in law and economics," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(5), pages 1410-1453, December.
    10. Giada Marchi & Giulia Lucertini & Alexis Tsoukiàs, 2016. "From evidence-based policy making to policy analytics," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 236(1), pages 15-38, January.
    11. Kolev, Stefan, 2019. "Antipathy for Heidelberg, sympathy for Freiburg? Vincent Ostrom on Max Weber, Walter Eucken, and the compound history of order," Freiburg Discussion Papers on Constitutional Economics 19/6, Walter Eucken Institut e.V..
    12. Ortiz-Riomalo, Juan Felipe & Koessler, Ann-Kathrin & Engel, Stefanie, 2022. "Fostering co-operation through participation in natural resource management. An integrative review," EconStor Preprints 253261, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
    13. Paul Lewis, 2021. "The innovation systems approach: an Austrian and Ostromian perspective," The Review of Austrian Economics, Springer;Society for the Development of Austrian Economics, vol. 34(1), pages 97-114, March.
    14. Hezri, Adnan A. & Dovers, Stephen R., 2006. "Sustainability indicators, policy and governance: Issues for ecological economics," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 60(1), pages 86-99, November.
    15. Paul Lewis & John Meadowcroft, 2024. "Constitutional artisans: James Buchanan and Vincent Ostrom on artifactual man, the constitutional attitude, and the political economy of constitutional design," Constitutional Political Economy, Springer, vol. 35(3), pages 363-387, September.
    16. Gheorghița Dincă & Marius Sorin Dincă & Camelia Negri & Mihaela Bărbuță, 2021. "The Impact of Corruption and Rent-Seeking Behavior upon Economic Wealth in the European Union from a Public Choice Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-23, June.
    17. Benno Torgler, 2021. "The Power of Public Choice in Law and Economics," CREMA Working Paper Series 2021-04, Center for Research in Economics, Management and the Arts (CREMA).
    18. Vlad Tarko, 2015. "The role of ideas in political economy," The Review of Austrian Economics, Springer;Society for the Development of Austrian Economics, vol. 28(1), pages 17-39, March.
    19. Aligica, Paul Dragos & Tarko, Vlad, 2013. "Co-Production, Polycentricity, and Value Heterogeneity: The Ostroms’ Public Choice Institutionalism Revisited," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 107(4), pages 726-741, November.
    20. Jeremias Pereira da Silva Arraes & José Matias- Pereira, 2024. "New Institutionalism: Public Agents’ Choices Based on Individual Interests," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 16(1), pages 1-68, January.
    21. Ming‐Chang Tsai, 2006. "Does Political Democracy Enhance Human Development in Developing Countries?," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 65(2), pages 233-268, April.
    22. Paul Dragos Aligica & Vlad Tarko, 2014. "Institutional Resilience and Economic Systems: Lessons from Elinor Ostrom’s Work," Comparative Economic Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Association for Comparative Economic Studies, vol. 56(1), pages 52-76, March.
    23. Vlad Tarko, 2015. "The challenge of empirically assessing the effects of constitutions," Journal of Economic Methodology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(1), pages 46-76, March.
    24. Troy Lepper & David Freeman, 2010. "Comparing Forms of Common Property Resource and Collective Goods Organizations Operating Water Markets in the Colorado Lower Arkansas River Basin," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 69(4), pages 1251-1278, October.

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