Public Choice Theory and Interest Group Capture

Author(s):  
Carroll Rios de Rodríguez
2004 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-181
Author(s):  
Russell S. Sobel

Abstract Rapid U.S. federal expenditure growth and budget deficits became commonplace during the second half of the twentieth century. Public choice models explained this by continual special interest group pressure for spending, rationally ignorant voters, and shortsighted politicians finding deficit financing attractive. However, the late 1990s saw budget surpluses and a slowdown in government expenditure growth. This paper uses public choice theory to explain this turn of events. I find that a slowdown in U.S. interest group activity growth is responsible for this shift.


2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wang Zuofa

AbstractThe implementation of the bankruptcy law of China deviates much from the expectation of the legislature. This article draws on political economy analysis, especially the interest group approach, to provide an explanation of the causes of the deviation and predict what the future of the modification and reform of the law might be. This article also describes the China context in using public choice theory to explain legal issues.


2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-181
Author(s):  
Russell S. Sobel

Abstract Rapid U.S. federal expenditure growth and budget deficits became commonplace during the second half of the twentieth century. Public choice models explained this by continual special interest group pressure for spending, rationally ignorant voters, and shortsighted politicians finding deficit financing attractive. However, the late 1990s saw budget surpluses and a slowdown in government expenditure growth. This paper uses public choice theory to explain this turn of events. I find that a slowdown in U.S. interest group activity growth is responsible for this shift.


1996 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Wein

AbstractIn Germany, the level of court fees is not cost-covering. Analyzing several welfare arguments to justify not cost-covering fees, only one aspect is conclusive. The benefit of judgments are not only private but also public (positive externality of litigation). It is due to the supreme courts to fill legal loopholes. Therefore, not cost-covering fees are justified in the case of supreme courts. By analyzing not cost-covering fees with the instruments of public choice theory, one can find more plausible reasons: the interest group of lawyers profits from not cost covering fees because the demand for lawyer services increases. Politicians collect their votes without loosing other votes; bureaucrats in the courts have an advantage by increasing their staff. Therefore, in order to reform the current situation, it is necessary to alter the restrictions of these self interested actors.


2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Follert ◽  
Lukas Richau ◽  
Eike Emrich ◽  
Christian Pierdzioch

AbstractVarious scandals have shaken public confidence in football's global governing body, Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). It is evident that decision-making within such a collective provides incentives for corruption. We apply the Buchanan-Tullock model that is known from Public Choice theory to study collective decision-making within FIFA. On the basis of this theoretical model, we develop specific proposals that can contribute to combating corruption. Three core aspects are discussed: the selection of the World Cup host, transparency in the allocation of budgets, and clear guidelines for FIFA officials and bodies with regard to their rights and accountability. Our insights can contribute to a better understanding of collective decision making in heterogenous groups.


Author(s):  
Serena Santis ◽  
Francesca Citro ◽  
Beatriz Cuadrado-Ballesteros ◽  
Marco Bisogno

The chapter seeks to contribute to the literature on determinants of local government election by adopting a different perspective focused on the effects of financial indicators on the elections of mayors. Using the agency and the public choice theory, this study implements a model where specific financial indicators—whose selection takes into account the increased autonomy and responsibility of local politicians—have been included to document their effect on mayoral re-election. Focusing on the Italian context, the chapter examines a sample of 129 municipalities during the period 2008-2014, where several elections were held. By using different estimators, findings indicate that the re-election of mayors is affected by the level of indebtedness and the current equilibrium. In addition, current spending is better valued by citizens/voters than capital expenditure, which increases the probability of being re-elected.


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