Natural law is a philosophical and legal theory that asserts that certain moral principles are inherent in human nature and can be discovered through reason. It posits that these principles are universal, unchanging, and provide a foundation for human rights, ethics, and justice, independent of human-made laws or social conventions.

Public choice theory is the application of economic principles and methodologies to the study of political decision-making. It examines how self-interested individuals—whether voters, politicians, or bureaucrats—interact within political and governmental institutions, often leading to outcomes that may differ from the idealized notion of serving the "public good."