Professor of Economics at the University of Turin, Department of Economics and Statistics
Senior Research Fellow, Karl Mittermaier Center 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.
Recent History of Economics, Law and Economics, Public Choice
First, coordination mechanisms between individuals, and more specifically when spontaneous coordination is possible—how norms emerge and regulate individual interactions; what is the "domain" of informal norms, their properties and limits. In this context, I am currently working on a theory of "bad taste" (how behaviors in bad taste limit coordination between 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 important project is a biography of the 1986 Nobel Prize winner in economics, James Buchanan.
History of Recent Economics, Law and Economics, Public Choice.
My research has two aspects. First, I am interested in mechanisms of coordination among individuals—how individuals devise norms, rules, or institutions to organize their interactions. I study the "domain" of informal norms, their virtues, and limits to see when spontaneous coordination is possible and successful. I am currently working on a theory of "distasteful" behaviors to see how distastefulness may endanger spontaneous coordination.
Second, I am interested in the history and methodology of law and economics; in this area, I am interested in the history of recent economics with a focus on law and economics and public choice. I am writing a biography of the 1986 Nobel Prize laureate, James Buchanan.
