Z:gnu-www-ja-frank--784faa-The self-interest model has we/en

The self-interest model has well established explanatory power. Whatever role love may play in the sustenance of marriage relationships, we know that divorce rates are higher in states that provide liberal welfare benefits. When energy prices rise, people are more likely to form car pools and to insulate their houses. When the opportunity cost of time rises, people have fewer children. And so on. From the economist's perspective, motives other than self-interest may matter, but they are peripheral to the main thrust of human endeavor, and we indulge them at our peril. In Gordon Tullock's words, &ldquo;the average human being is about 95 percent selfish in the narrow sense of the term.&rdquo;