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Theories of Delegation in Political Science

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  • Bendor, Jonathan

    (Stanford U)

  • Glazer, Ami

    (U of California, Irvine)

  • Hammond, Thomas H.

    (Michigan State U)

Abstract

We survey modern models of delegation which assume that a boss and subordinate pursue their own goals. Among the major themes covered are the following: the conditions under which the boss will prefer to delegate versus those in which she will prefer to retain authority; the ways in which a boss can induce a subordinate to truthfully reveal information; when rational principals will use the ally principle (i.e., delegate to agents with similar goals); delegation in repeated interactions; and the ways in which delegation can overcome commitment problems. These ideas are applied to a wide variety of institutions, including intra-legislative organization, executive-legislative relations, and central banks.

Suggested Citation

  • Bendor, Jonathan & Glazer, Ami & Hammond, Thomas H., 2000. "Theories of Delegation in Political Science," Research Papers 1655, Stanford University, Graduate School of Business.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecl:stabus:1655
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Wrasai, Phongthorn & Swank, Otto H., 2007. "Policy makers, advisers, and reputation," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 62(4), pages 579-590, April.
    2. Frederick J. Boehmke & Sean Gailmard & John W. Patty, 2005. "Whose Ear (or Arm) to Bend? Information Sources and Venue Choice in Policy Making," Public Economics 0502009, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Amihai Glazer & Stef Proost, 2017. "Free riding on successors, delay, and extremism," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 48(4), pages 887-900, April.
    4. Dan Palmon & Marietta Peytcheva & Ari Yezegel, 2011. "The Accounting Standards Setting Process in the U.S.: Examination of the SEC–FASB Relationship," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 20(2), pages 165-183, March.
    5. Gradstein, Mark & Kaganovich, Michael, 2019. "Legislative restraints in corporate bailout design," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 337-350.
    6. John Nye, 2007. "Killing Private Ryan: An Institutional Analysis of Military Decision Making in World War II," Economics of Governance, Springer, vol. 8(4), pages 281-308, September.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • E58 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Central Banks and Their Policies
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • K2 - Law and Economics - - Regulation and Business Law

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