Why do governments so often disappoint, even when staffed by intelligent, well-meaning people? In "Public Choice: A Primer for the Politically Sober," Dr. John M. Cobin offers a clear, accessible introduction to the branch of economics that treats politicians, bureaucrats, and voters as ordinary self-interested actors rather than selfless servants of the public good. Working in the tradition of James Buchanan and Gordon Tullock, Cobin walks readers through the core ideas of public-choice theory: rational ignorance, special-interest capture, rent-seeking, logrolling, the logic of voting, and the persistent gap between political promises and political results. Written by a Baptist pastor, longtime economics professor, and consultant with a PhD in public policy, this primer trades jargon for plain explanation and real-world illustration. Ideal for students, citizens, and anyone tired of naive theories of government, it equips readers to think soberly about politics -- and to stop expecting miracles from the ballot box.
