Buchananomics: The Economic Policies of James Buchanan
7 Pages Posted: 8 Jul 2011
Date Written: July 7, 2011
Abstract
When James Buchanan took office the United States was sound financially. The treasury was running in the black as revenues of the federal government exceeded expenditures. Buchanan recommended that these monies be spent on great national projects such as increased naval construction to protect our vast tonnage afloat which was greater than any other nation or extinguishing the national debt. Being a die-hard Jacksonian on economic issues, he believed that revenues should match and not exceed expenditures. When the panic of 1859 hit, Buchanan utilized a blend of monetary and fiscal policies to remedy the situation.
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation