Professor of Economics at the University of Turin, Department of Economics and Statistics
Senior Research Fellow, Karl Mittermaier Centre for Philosophy of Economics, University of Johannesburg,
Distinguished Affiliated Fellow, F. A. Hayek Program for Advanced Study in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, Mercatus Center, George Mason University.
History of Recent Economic Science, Law and Economics, Public Choice
First, coordination mechanisms among individuals—and more specifically, when spontaneous coordination is possible—how norms emerge and regulate individual interactions; what constitutes the “domain” of informal norms, and what their properties and limitations are. In this context, I am currently working on a theory of “bad taste” (specifically, how behaviors in poor taste limit coordination among agents).
Second, the history and methodology of law and economics and Public Choice. The focus is on the contributions of the founding fathers (Coase, Posner, Calabresi). My most significant project is a biography of James Buchanan, winner of the 1986 Nobel Prize in Economics.
History of Modern Economics, Law and Economics, Public Choice.
My research has two aspects. First, I am interested in the mechanisms of coordination among individuals—how individuals devise norms, rules, or institutions to organize their interactions. I study the “domain” of informal norms, their strengths and limitations, to determine when spontaneous coordination is possible and successful. I am currently working on a theory of “distasteful” behaviors to see how distastefulness may jeopardize spontaneous coordination.
Second, I am interested in the history and methodology of law and economics; in this area, I am particularly interested in the history of modern economics, with a focus on law and economics and public choice. I am writing a biography of James Buchanan, the 1986 Nobel laureate.
