A Fast Literature Search Engine based on top-quality journals, by Dr. Mingze Gao.

  • Topic classification is ongoing.
  • Please kindly let me know [mingze.gao@mq.edu.au] in case of any errors.

Who Controls the Agenda Controls the Legislature

Resource type
Authors/contributors
Title
Who Controls the Agenda Controls the Legislature
Abstract
We model legislative decision-making with an agenda setter who can propose policies sequentially, tailoring each proposal to the status quo that prevails after prior votes. Voters are sophisticated, and the agenda setter cannot commit to future proposals. Nevertheless, the agenda setter obtains her favorite outcome in every equilibrium regardless of the initial default policy. Central to our results is a new condition on preferences, manipulability, that holds in rich policy spaces, including spatial settings and distribution problems. Our findings therefore establish that, despite the sophistication of voters and the absence of commitment power, the agenda setter is effectively a dictator.
Publication
American Economic Review
Volume
113
Issue
11
Pages
3090-3128
Date
2023-11
Citation
Ali, S. N., Battilana, S. C., Bernheim, B. D., & Bloedel, A. W. (2023). Who Controls the Agenda Controls the Legislature. American Economic Review, 113, 3090–3128.
Link to this record