Vincent Ostrom

Vincent Ostrom
Born
Vincent Alfred Ostrom

September 25, 1919
DiedJune 29, 2012 (aged 92)
NationalityAmerican
Academic background
Alma materUniversity of California, Los Angeles (B.A., M.A., Ph.D)
Academic work
DisciplinePublic economics
Political economics
School or traditionPolycentric political economy
InstitutionsIndiana University
Notable ideas120+ peer-reviewed publications

Vincent Alfred Ostrom (September 25, 1919 – June 29, 2012) was an American political economist, the Founding Director of the Ostrom Workshop based at Indiana University, and the Arthur F. Bentley Professor Emeritus of Political Science. He and his wife, the political economist Elinor Ostrom, made numerous contributions to the field of political science, political economy, and public choice.

The Ostroms made particular study of fragmentation theory, rational choice theory, federalism, common-pool resources and polycentrism in government. The Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization published a special issue, "Polycentric Political Economy: A Festschrift for Elinor and Vincent Ostrom", as the proceedings of a 2003 conference held in their honor, at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.