Congress and the rent-seeking society

by Parker, Glenn R

Skillfully blending historical data with microeconomic theory, Glenn Parker argues that the incentives for congressional service have declined over the years, and that with the decline has come a change in the kind of person who seeks to enter Congress. The decline in the attractiveness of Congress is a consequence of the growth in the rent-seeking society, a term that describes the efforts of special interests to obtain preferential treatment by using the machinery of governmentlegislation and regulations. Parker provides a fresh and controversial perspective to the debate surrounding the relative merits of career or amateur politicians. He argues that driving career politicians from office can have pernicious effects on the political system, placing the running of Congress in the hands of amateur politicians, who stand to lose little if they are found engaging in illegal or quasi-legal practices. On the other hand, career legislators risk all they have invested in their long careers