Black Hole Tariffs and Endogenous Policy Theory (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780521377003)

This book provides a special interest theory of protection, developing a full general equilibrium theory that explains the distribution of income with goods markets, factor markets, lobbies, political parties, and voters all pursuing their self interest. This probabilistic voting model shows how well-organized groups can use seemingly irrational government policies to exploit poorly organized groups. Given rational predatory behavior between these groups, protection or any other redistributive policy that improves the chances of election of a party increases political efficiency. This can create an economic black hole, conditions under which an entire economy can disappear into lobbying. Paradoxically, the tariff rates accompanying an economic black hole are very low. The economic waste is confined to lobbying costs. The book contains both theoretical and empirical work explaining protection in the United States (1900-1988) and levels of protection in about sixty foreign countries in the 1980s.

Author: Stephen P. Magee, William A. Brock, Leslie Young
ISBN-10: 0521377005
ISBN-13: 9780521377003
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Language: English
Published: 08/25/1989
Pages: 460
Format: Paperback
Weight: 1.29lbs
Size: 8.98h x 5.84w x 0.90d