Public Choice and Politics Without Romance (with Mike Munger)

Mike Munger returns to EconTalk for his 52nd appearance to discuss public choice, the "politics without romance" view. He introduces the Munger Test: before giving government new powers, replace "government" with the name of your least trusted politician. Munger and host Russ Roberts explore why treating government like a loving family ends badly, why Edmund Burke's defense of legislative conscience cost him his seat, and how a group lunch illustrates political incentives. They also examine why voters rationally know very little.