Viktor Vanberg

Abstract

Abstract This chapter provides an overview of the work of German economist-sociologist Viktor Vanberg. By working out a synthesis between the contractarian economics of James Buchanan and the evolutionary economics of Friedrich Hayek, Vanberg has made essential contributions to the development and modernisation of Ordoliberal thinking. The first part of this chapter highlights biographical milestones in Vanberg’s career, which help trace important personal and institutional influences on his intellectual journey. The second part of this chapter carves out key themes of Vanberg’s research programme—constitutional political economy (CPE). It discusses the methodological foundations of CPE, including its underlying behavioural model, the question of deliberate design versus the evolution of social orders, and the relationship between market and state. The chapter closes with an assessment of Vanberg’s contributions to Ordoliberal philosophy and economics.