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The Value of Confidential Policy Information: Persuasion, Transparency, and Influence

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  • Clement Minaudier

Abstract

Transparency of the lobbying process is hailed as an effective means to limit the influence of special interest groups, but should transparency also apply to the information obtained by policy makers (PMs)? This article extends theories of informational lobbying by explicitly modeling the choice of PMs to obtain information before interacting with lobbyists. This approach reveals a new channel for the value of confidentiality: extracting evidence from special interest groups. It shows that, counter-intuitively, the influence of special interest groups can increase as PMs become more expert. These results shed light on the relationship between confidentiality, good governance, and influence.

Suggested Citation

  • Clement Minaudier, 2022. "The Value of Confidential Policy Information: Persuasion, Transparency, and Influence," The Journal of Law, Economics, and Organization, Oxford University Press, vol. 38(2), pages 570-612.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:jleorg:v:38:y:2022:i:2:p:570-612.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/jleo/ewab020
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Dellis, Arnaud, 2023. "Legislative informational lobbying," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    2. Schnakenberg, Keith & Turner, Ian R, 2023. "Formal Theories of Special Interest Influence," SocArXiv 47e26, Center for Open Science.
    3. Awad, Emiel & Judd, Gleason & Riquelme, Nicolas, 2024. "Learning by Lobbying," SocArXiv 834vd, Center for Open Science.
    4. Li, Cheng & Mao, Huangxing, 2024. "Delegation to incentivize information production," Mathematical Social Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 1-11.
    5. Blumenthal, Benjamin, 2024. "Informational Lobbying and Implementation Standards," SocArXiv 2kbas, Center for Open Science.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • D73 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption
    • D78 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Positive Analysis of Policy Formulation and Implementation
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness

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