Mercatus Center at George Mason University - Browse Research Areas : Psychology

Recent Publications:

	Democracy and the Economy: An Analysis of Buchanan's Views on Political Psychology September 9, 2008 Working Papers Alejandra Salinas
	Buchanan´s notion of “parental socialism” refers to the attitude of many persons who are “afraid to be free” and do not want to face "responsibility for their own actions". His diagnosis is that this behavioral fact triggers the demand for a Welfare State, thus extending collective activities over individual liberties. Salinas claims that this psychological assumption is in tension with Buchanan´s public choice perspective: if what people pursue is wealth maximization, they will try to partially minimize the risks and costs linked to that objective by shifting the burden of welfare provision onto the State.
	Self-Deception as the Root of Political Failure September 1, 2005 Journal Articles Tyler Cowen
	This papers considers models of political failure based on self-deception. Individuals discard free information when that information damages their self-image and thus lowers their utility. More specifically, individuals prefer to feel good about their previously chosen affiliations and shape their worldviews accordingly.

Recent Events:

	For Richer or Poorer: America's Standard of Living Capitol Hill Campus April 11, 200712:00 PM