| Peter Boettke |
Today is Professor Buchanan's 90th birthday. Professor Buchanan revitalized the discipline of economics and political economy with his pioneering research in public finance and public choice. But I think he doesn't get enough credit for his amazing contribution as a teacher to three generations of students at UVA, VPI, and GMU. His theme of "dare to be different" as a program builder created space for students to study the economics analysis of politics, law and economics, market process economics, radical subjectivism, and spontaneous order. And, as a teacher he stressed work ethic, critical attitude (including self-criticism), and creativity in thought. He also stressed the logic of economic analysis and the role of reason in economic discourse.
Here is a video tribute to Professor Buchanan put together by GMU library a few years ago.
Happy birthday, Jim. When one thinks about his contributions to economics most of the other Nobel laureates seem like intellectual midgets. Unfortunately, most graduate students in top programs today have barely heard of him. This says much about the current state of economics.
Posted by: Mario Rizzo | October 04, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Happy Birthday Professor Buchanan.
I still get chills when I read his work.
Posted by: Brian Pitt | October 04, 2009 at 11:33 AM
Happy birthday, Jim.
Posted by: Barkley Rosser | October 04, 2009 at 07:54 PM