Sam Peltzman is one of the worlds leading economists and the essays in thiscollection are central to the modern canon in political economy. These tenarticles an... » 

Sam Peltzman is one of the worlds leading economists and the essays in thiscollection are central to the modern canon in political economy. These tenarticles and an original introduction respond to two broad questions How doesgovernment work? How do voters and their elected representatives makedecisions? Given the medias portrayal of the cynical political atmosphere inAmerica Peltzmans responses are rather surprisingthe electorate really doesmake wellinformed decisions and elected officials actually do tend to voteaccording to their constituents interests. These conclusions bear the stamp ofthe Chicago approach to political economy which applies microeconomicprinciples to political phenomena an approach that has had considerablesuccess explaining why certain government policies have not achieved theirintended effects.This collection reflects Peltzmans long career studying the interface betweenthe private economy and the public sector. It will be essential to anyone whowishes to study government activity and voting behavior from an economicperspective. «