The Calculus of Consent: Enduring contributions to public choice and political science

Abstract

Although the early 1960s were an exciting era for political scientists it was not an auspicious period in which to publish The Calculus of Consent (1962). A theory based on methodological individualism or rational utility maximization flew in the face of the high-flying behavioralism then the rage among young, aspiring political analysts. Behavioralism's commitments stood and remain in stark contrast to those of The Calculus. It was Social Psychology vs. Economics. And the latter lost; in the fact, it was no contest.