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A Signaling Model Of Competitive Political Pressures

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  • Susanne Lohmann

Abstract

This paper models competitive political pressures as a signaling phenomenon. People participate in collective action in support of or against the status quo, or they abstain. Their actions and abstentions inform the decision of a policymaker who may overturn the status quo in favor of a policy alternative. By providing an informational microfoundation for the widely used reduced‐form “pressure production functions” and “political influence functions,” the analysis allows me to reexamine the role of the free rider problem in creating a bias towards vocal special interests. The signaling hypothesis finds empirical support with a study of pro‐ and anti‐Gulf War demonstrations that took place in San Francisco and Kansas City (Missouri) in early 1991.

Suggested Citation

  • Susanne Lohmann, 1995. "A Signaling Model Of Competitive Political Pressures," Economics and Politics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 7(3), pages 181-206, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecopol:v:7:y:1995:i:3:p:181-206
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-0343.1995.tb00110.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lohmann, Susanne, 1993. "A Signaling Model of Informative and Manipulative Political Action," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 87(2), pages 319-333, June.
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    6. Baron, David P., 1994. "Electoral Competition with Informed and Uninformed Voters," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 88(1), pages 33-47, March.
    7. Potters, Jan & van Winden, Frans, 1992. "Lobbying and Asymmetric Information," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 74(3), pages 269-292, October.
    8. Gary S. Becker, 1983. "A Theory of Competition Among Pressure Groups for Political Influence," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 98(3), pages 371-400.
    9. Kreps, David M & Wilson, Robert, 1982. "Sequential Equilibria," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 50(4), pages 863-894, July.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. A. Garcia-Lorenzo & J. Lopez-Rodriguez & J.M. Barreiro-Vinan, 2018. "Interest Groups Incentives to Cooperate in the Production of Information in the Context of the EU Policy-Making," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(4), pages 794-804.
    2. Potters, Jan & Sloof, Randolph & van Winden, Frans, 1997. "Campaign expenditures, contributions and direct endorsements: The strategic use of information and money to influence voter behavior," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 13(1), pages 1-31, February.
    3. Reuben E., 2002. "Interest groups and politics: The need to concentrate on group formation," Public Economics 0212001, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. repec:ers:journl:v:v:y:2017:i:2:p:14-24 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. repec:bla:jecsur:v:14:y:2000:i:5:p:513-26 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. repec:ers:ijebaa:v:v:y:2017:i:1:p:14-24 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. Bhattacharya, Sourav & Kundu, Tapas, 2014. "Resistance, redistribution and investor-friendliness," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 124-142.
    8. Matthias Dahm & Nicolás Porteiro, 2008. "Informational lobbying under the shadow of political pressure," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 30(4), pages 531-559, May.
    9. Derek Pyne, 2006. "Microfoundations of Influencing Public Opinion: Lobbying and Voting for Trade Policies," Journal of Economic Integration, Center for Economic Integration, Sejong University, vol. 21, pages 551-576.
    10. Lyubov M. Dzyuba & Nataliia V. Fedorenko & Julia V. Fedorenko, 2017. "Mediation as an Alternative Method of Dispute Resolution in Business," International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), vol. 0(3), pages 21-30.
    11. Ağca, Şenay & Igan, Deniz & Li, Fuhong & Mishra, Prachi, 2025. "Doing more for less? New evidence on lobbying and government contracts," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 232(C).
    12. Ezra Friedman, 1998. "Public Debate Among Experts," Discussion Papers 1234, Northwestern University, Center for Mathematical Studies in Economics and Management Science.
    13. Randolph Sloof & Frans van Winden, 2000. "Show Them Your Teeth First!," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 104(1), pages 81-120, July.

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