Richard Cornes is a contemporary economist specializing in public goods theory and welfare economics. He is best known as the co-author, with Todd Sandler, of the definitive text on externalities and public goods, and has contributed formal models for analyzing the voluntary provision of public goods. His work bridges microeconomic theory and applied welfare analysis.
Co-authored 'The Theory of Externalities, Public Goods, and Club Goods' (with Todd Sandler), a foundational text in public economics
Developed influential models of voluntary provision and underprovision of public goods
Advanced formal analysis of the distinction between pure public goods, club goods, and private goods
Contributed to income distribution theory in the context of public goods provision