Public Choice, Agricultural Economics, and the Public Sector: A Public Sector Consumer's View

Abstract

velopment of public choice theory. In the public sector we can assist in applying, testing, and perhaps rethinking the applicability of the theory to public choice issues. It is a pleasure to be invited to share with the agricultural economics profession my view of public choice issues from my present role as a public sector consumer of public choice theory and methodology. Under a time and space constraint I have attempted to maximize the number of issues presented in hopes of portraying a variety of challenges and opportunities to agricultural economists who are interested or currently engaged in public choice. The issues are: the application of existing marginal analysis theory to public policy and expenditure issues at the state and local level, the need for a new theory of public goods and services, and the need for effective institutions for citizen participation in public planning and decision making.