Vineeta Yadav
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- May 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199735907
- eISBN:
- 9780199894789
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199735907.003.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, Comparative Politics
This chapter introduces the concepts and the structure employed by this book to address three questions on corruption: Why do some developing democracies experience much higher levels of corruption ...
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This chapter introduces the concepts and the structure employed by this book to address three questions on corruption: Why do some developing democracies experience much higher levels of corruption than others? How does the behavior of business interest groups relate to political corruption? How do legislative institutions governing the policy process promote or restrain corruption through the rules of engagement they provide to political and business actors? It first defines the meaning of the terms “political corruption,” “corruption,” and “lobbying”, since these terms have been used to describe a wide range of behaviors. It then discusses the problem scholars face in measuring corruption, and its ramifications for any research on the topic. The second section presents the puzzle motivating this book: the wide variation in the levels of corruption experienced by countries. It analyzes the most prominent theories that have been used to explain corruption and business lobbying. This is followed by a discussion of some of the limitations faced by current theoretical and empirical approaches in understanding these phenomena. It then previews the argument that legislative institutions drive variation in corruption levels by motivating specific patterns of behavior among special interest groups. An overview of the subsequent chapters is also presented.Less
This chapter introduces the concepts and the structure employed by this book to address three questions on corruption: Why do some developing democracies experience much higher levels of corruption than others? How does the behavior of business interest groups relate to political corruption? How do legislative institutions governing the policy process promote or restrain corruption through the rules of engagement they provide to political and business actors? It first defines the meaning of the terms “political corruption,” “corruption,” and “lobbying”, since these terms have been used to describe a wide range of behaviors. It then discusses the problem scholars face in measuring corruption, and its ramifications for any research on the topic. The second section presents the puzzle motivating this book: the wide variation in the levels of corruption experienced by countries. It analyzes the most prominent theories that have been used to explain corruption and business lobbying. This is followed by a discussion of some of the limitations faced by current theoretical and empirical approaches in understanding these phenomena. It then previews the argument that legislative institutions drive variation in corruption levels by motivating specific patterns of behavior among special interest groups. An overview of the subsequent chapters is also presented.
Lawrence Davidson
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- September 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780813125244
- eISBN:
- 9780813135021
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University Press of Kentucky
- DOI:
- 10.5810/kentucky/9780813125244.003.0003
- Subject:
- Political Science, American Politics
This chapter suggests that the American political system is a factocracy, a democracy not of individuals but of competing interest groups or factions. Using their collective resources, factions are ...
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This chapter suggests that the American political system is a factocracy, a democracy not of individuals but of competing interest groups or factions. Using their collective resources, factions are able to influence politicians and government officials, thus shaping legislation and policy in accordance with their special interests. In the case of foreign policy formulation, the effectiveness of special interests is helped along by the normal indifference the general public shows toward events abroad, in effect making the process privatized. The final part of this chapter provides a brief look at how factocracy emerged in the US and how it has helped shape the country's foreign policy in events dating back to the time of the founding fathers until the nineteenth and early twentieth century, including the Mexican War and the Spanish-American War.Less
This chapter suggests that the American political system is a factocracy, a democracy not of individuals but of competing interest groups or factions. Using their collective resources, factions are able to influence politicians and government officials, thus shaping legislation and policy in accordance with their special interests. In the case of foreign policy formulation, the effectiveness of special interests is helped along by the normal indifference the general public shows toward events abroad, in effect making the process privatized. The final part of this chapter provides a brief look at how factocracy emerged in the US and how it has helped shape the country's foreign policy in events dating back to the time of the founding fathers until the nineteenth and early twentieth century, including the Mexican War and the Spanish-American War.
Panagiotis Delimatsis
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- January 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199533152
- eISBN:
- 9780191714528
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199533152.003.0003
- Subject:
- Law, Public International Law
This chapter reviews trade policy in services, which serves to introduce the reader not only to the peculiar role of domestic regulations in services trade, but also to the need to tackle the adverse ...
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This chapter reviews trade policy in services, which serves to introduce the reader not only to the peculiar role of domestic regulations in services trade, but also to the need to tackle the adverse trade effects of non-discriminatory domestic policy instruments when seeking to establish a framework of rules for the liberalization of services trade. It reviews the intricacy and ubiquity of the remaining barriers to trade in services, and demonstrates that in services, domestic regulations constitute the most onerous trade barriers in the absence of any trade impediments at the borders. Theoretically, there is a bundle of genuine reasons that may lead governments to regulate services, depending on the services sector involved. While inherent in services trade, regulatory diversity can be trade-distortive if it is not the result of legitimate regulatory intervention, but rather an attempt to protect few domestic interests.Less
This chapter reviews trade policy in services, which serves to introduce the reader not only to the peculiar role of domestic regulations in services trade, but also to the need to tackle the adverse trade effects of non-discriminatory domestic policy instruments when seeking to establish a framework of rules for the liberalization of services trade. It reviews the intricacy and ubiquity of the remaining barriers to trade in services, and demonstrates that in services, domestic regulations constitute the most onerous trade barriers in the absence of any trade impediments at the borders. Theoretically, there is a bundle of genuine reasons that may lead governments to regulate services, depending on the services sector involved. While inherent in services trade, regulatory diversity can be trade-distortive if it is not the result of legitimate regulatory intervention, but rather an attempt to protect few domestic interests.
Lawrence Davidson
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- September 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780813125244
- eISBN:
- 9780813135021
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University Press of Kentucky
- DOI:
- 10.5810/kentucky/9780813125244.003.0008
- Subject:
- Political Science, American Politics
History has shown that American foreign policy influenced by the power of special interest groups has often lead to disaster, as in the case of the Vietnam War and the invasion of Iraq. Yet the ...
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History has shown that American foreign policy influenced by the power of special interest groups has often lead to disaster, as in the case of the Vietnam War and the invasion of Iraq. Yet the general manner by which much of American foreign policy is formulated is expected to continue because of natural localism that make Americans tend to be indifferent to international affairs and susceptible to media manipulation, leaving the process in the hands of competing factions with parochial interests. Under such circumstances, it should come as no surprise that the general population never demands structural change. Thus, interest group politics will continue to define how political business is done in the US, and this would appear to be the case for the foreseeable future.Less
History has shown that American foreign policy influenced by the power of special interest groups has often lead to disaster, as in the case of the Vietnam War and the invasion of Iraq. Yet the general manner by which much of American foreign policy is formulated is expected to continue because of natural localism that make Americans tend to be indifferent to international affairs and susceptible to media manipulation, leaving the process in the hands of competing factions with parochial interests. Under such circumstances, it should come as no surprise that the general population never demands structural change. Thus, interest group politics will continue to define how political business is done in the US, and this would appear to be the case for the foreseeable future.
John G. Matsusaka
- Published in print:
- 2004
- Published Online:
- March 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780226510811
- eISBN:
- 9780226510873
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226510873.001.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, American Politics
Direct democracy is alive and well in the United States. Citizens are increasingly using initiatives and referendums to take the law into their own hands, overriding their elected officials to set ...
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Direct democracy is alive and well in the United States. Citizens are increasingly using initiatives and referendums to take the law into their own hands, overriding their elected officials to set tax, expenditure, and social policies. This book provides an even-handed and historically based treatment of the subject. Drawing upon a century of evidence, the author argues against the popular belief that initiative measures are influenced by wealthy special interest groups that neglect the majority view. Examining demographic, political, and opinion data, he demonstrates how the initiative process brings about systematic changes in tax and expenditure policies of state and local governments that are generally supported by the citizens. The author concludes that, by and large, direct democracy in the form of the initiative process works for the benefit of the many rather than the few.Less
Direct democracy is alive and well in the United States. Citizens are increasingly using initiatives and referendums to take the law into their own hands, overriding their elected officials to set tax, expenditure, and social policies. This book provides an even-handed and historically based treatment of the subject. Drawing upon a century of evidence, the author argues against the popular belief that initiative measures are influenced by wealthy special interest groups that neglect the majority view. Examining demographic, political, and opinion data, he demonstrates how the initiative process brings about systematic changes in tax and expenditure policies of state and local governments that are generally supported by the citizens. The author concludes that, by and large, direct democracy in the form of the initiative process works for the benefit of the many rather than the few.
Joel Slemrod
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- August 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780262042475
- eISBN:
- 9780262271707
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
- DOI:
- 10.7551/mitpress/9780262042475.003.0008
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Econometrics
This chapter examines whether tax reform is good for business and whether a tax reform that is good for business is also good for the country. It looks at official positions of various business ...
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This chapter examines whether tax reform is good for business and whether a tax reform that is good for business is also good for the country. It looks at official positions of various business organizations (big business, small business, and special interest groups) and how different businesses view various reforms compared with most academic economists. It suggests that fundamental tax reform cannot be realized unless there is significant support from the business community, and that tax policies that encourage businesses to invest and employ new workers are good for the citizenry at large. The chapter also considers the theory of tax incidence, along with the administrative and compliance costs that accompany a complex tax system.Less
This chapter examines whether tax reform is good for business and whether a tax reform that is good for business is also good for the country. It looks at official positions of various business organizations (big business, small business, and special interest groups) and how different businesses view various reforms compared with most academic economists. It suggests that fundamental tax reform cannot be realized unless there is significant support from the business community, and that tax policies that encourage businesses to invest and employ new workers are good for the citizenry at large. The chapter also considers the theory of tax incidence, along with the administrative and compliance costs that accompany a complex tax system.
Sukehiro Hosono
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- September 2015
- ISBN:
- 9781847429841
- eISBN:
- 9781447311515
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781847429841.003.0002
- Subject:
- Political Science, Public Policy
Formal policy analysis including cost-benefit analysis and quantitative policy equation system such as macroeconomic simulation model can be expected to be a strong and high performing analytical ...
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Formal policy analysis including cost-benefit analysis and quantitative policy equation system such as macroeconomic simulation model can be expected to be a strong and high performing analytical tool for a long time in developed countries. Cost-benefit analysis has been widely utilized with minor importance, but other formal approaches especially macroeconomic modelling and simulation have only had a narrow role for policy formation or policy making process in Japan. This paper considers the reasons why such formal analysis has been only restricted to exploit in policy making process from economic, political and historical points of view, and suggests making use of formal policy analysis more especially macroeconomic model approach with the Cabinet real coordination and international practical cooperation in order to fix public finance failure and to increase transparency of policy formation process in Japan.Less
Formal policy analysis including cost-benefit analysis and quantitative policy equation system such as macroeconomic simulation model can be expected to be a strong and high performing analytical tool for a long time in developed countries. Cost-benefit analysis has been widely utilized with minor importance, but other formal approaches especially macroeconomic modelling and simulation have only had a narrow role for policy formation or policy making process in Japan. This paper considers the reasons why such formal analysis has been only restricted to exploit in policy making process from economic, political and historical points of view, and suggests making use of formal policy analysis more especially macroeconomic model approach with the Cabinet real coordination and international practical cooperation in order to fix public finance failure and to increase transparency of policy formation process in Japan.
Miriam Boeri
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- May 2018
- ISBN:
- 9780520293465
- eISBN:
- 9780520966710
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of California Press
- DOI:
- 10.1525/california/9780520293465.003.0010
- Subject:
- Sociology, Law, Crime and Deviance
This chapter discusses how political decisions made by baby boomers in powerful special interest groups destroyed the lives of those with less power. Guided by ignorance, fear, apathy, or a quest for ...
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This chapter discusses how political decisions made by baby boomers in powerful special interest groups destroyed the lives of those with less power. Guided by ignorance, fear, apathy, or a quest for power, baby boomers developed the systemic social structures of a drug war that left a bleak social landscape of desolate communities, broken families, and ruined lives. They transformed the American Dream into an American nightmare for many. They sucked the humanity out of medical, health, and social services that were created to relieve the suffering of vulnerable lives. The War on Drugs spread to become omnipresent in every facet of social life, corrupting the fabric of society and the social contract with authority. Not all baby boomers supported it, but their silence was interpreted as consent. This chapter argues that it is their war. It is their legacy. It is up to them to end the war and begin social reconstruction of a devastated society and social recovery for those who are hurting.Less
This chapter discusses how political decisions made by baby boomers in powerful special interest groups destroyed the lives of those with less power. Guided by ignorance, fear, apathy, or a quest for power, baby boomers developed the systemic social structures of a drug war that left a bleak social landscape of desolate communities, broken families, and ruined lives. They transformed the American Dream into an American nightmare for many. They sucked the humanity out of medical, health, and social services that were created to relieve the suffering of vulnerable lives. The War on Drugs spread to become omnipresent in every facet of social life, corrupting the fabric of society and the social contract with authority. Not all baby boomers supported it, but their silence was interpreted as consent. This chapter argues that it is their war. It is their legacy. It is up to them to end the war and begin social reconstruction of a devastated society and social recovery for those who are hurting.
Paul De Grauwe (ed.)
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- August 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780262013963
- eISBN:
- 9780262289320
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
- DOI:
- 10.7551/mitpress/9780262013963.001.0001
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Econometrics
Competitiveness among nations is often approached as if it were a sports competition: Some countries win medals, others lose out. This view of countries fighting it out in the economic arena is ...
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Competitiveness among nations is often approached as if it were a sports competition: Some countries win medals, others lose out. This view of countries fighting it out in the economic arena is especially popular in business circles and among politicians. Economists, however, take a very different approach to international economic relations, arguing that international trade leads not to winners and losers but to win–win situations in which all countries profit. This book takes on the sometimes-derided concept of competitiveness, demonstrating the value of systematic analysis in an area too often dominated by special interest groups who use (and abuse) the concept to advance hidden agendas. The chapters range from broad theoretical views to case studies, examining the multiple factors that drive competitiveness. Contributors consider the conceptual framework underlying the World Economic Forum’s approach to competitiveness; differences in per capita gross domestice product between the United States and the European Union; an integrated approach to measuring competitiveness and comparative advantage; divergent trends in price and cost competitiveness in the euro area; methodological issues in constructing competitiveness indicators; taxation and international competitiveness; and a case study of Mexico’s competitiveness in world markets in comparison to China’s.Less
Competitiveness among nations is often approached as if it were a sports competition: Some countries win medals, others lose out. This view of countries fighting it out in the economic arena is especially popular in business circles and among politicians. Economists, however, take a very different approach to international economic relations, arguing that international trade leads not to winners and losers but to win–win situations in which all countries profit. This book takes on the sometimes-derided concept of competitiveness, demonstrating the value of systematic analysis in an area too often dominated by special interest groups who use (and abuse) the concept to advance hidden agendas. The chapters range from broad theoretical views to case studies, examining the multiple factors that drive competitiveness. Contributors consider the conceptual framework underlying the World Economic Forum’s approach to competitiveness; differences in per capita gross domestice product between the United States and the European Union; an integrated approach to measuring competitiveness and comparative advantage; divergent trends in price and cost competitiveness in the euro area; methodological issues in constructing competitiveness indicators; taxation and international competitiveness; and a case study of Mexico’s competitiveness in world markets in comparison to China’s.
