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Centralized policymaking and informational lobbying

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  • Cheng Li

    (Mississippi State University)

Abstract

This paper compares centralized and decentralized policymaking in a game theoretic model of informational lobbying and political contributions. In the model, an interest group first produces verifiable evidence about the welfare effects of its preferred policy and then engages in monetary lobbying. The analysis highlights a new channel through which centralized policymaking affects social welfare: centralization can incentivize the interest group to produce less informative evidence, leading to less informed policy decisions and lower social welfare. This channel is most relevant when the interest group is only willing to pay small political contributions to policymakers. When the interest group’s willingness to pay becomes larger, centralized policymaking affects social welfare by changing the degree of political capture.

Suggested Citation

  • Cheng Li, 2020. "Centralized policymaking and informational lobbying," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 54(4), pages 527-557, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sochwe:v:54:y:2020:i:4:d:10.1007_s00355-019-01218-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s00355-019-01218-1
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    Cited by:

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    2. Li, Cheng & Xiao, Yancheng, 2020. "Persuasion, Spillovers, and Government Interventions," MPRA Paper 103500, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Ozili, Peterson K, 2021. "Managing Climate Change Risk: The Policy Options for Central Banks," MPRA Paper 111217, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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