Rethinking the Role of History in Law & Economics: The Case of the Federal Radio Commission in 1927

38 Pages Posted: 12 Aug 2008

See all articles by David A. Moss

David A. Moss

Harvard Business School - Business, Government and the International Economy Unit

Jonathan B. Lackow

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: July 13, 2008

Abstract

In the study of law and economics, there is a danger that historical inferences from theory may infect historical tests of theory. It is imperative, therefore, that historical tests always involve a vigorous search not only for confirming evidence, but for disconfirming evidence as well. We undertake such a search in the context of a single well-known case: the Federal Radio Commission's (FRC's) 1927 decision not to expand the broadcast radio band. The standard account of this decision holds that incumbent broadcasters opposed expansion (to avoid increased competition) and succeeded in capturing the FRC. Although successful broadcaster opposition may be taken as confirming evidence for this interpretation, our review of the record reveals even stronger disconfirming evidence. In particular, we find that every major interest group, not just radio broadcasters, publicly opposed expansion of the band in 1927, and that broadcasters themselves were divided at the FRC's hearings.

Suggested Citation

Moss, David A. and Lackow, Jonathan B., Rethinking the Role of History in Law & Economics: The Case of the Federal Radio Commission in 1927 (July 13, 2008). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1220743 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1220743

David A. Moss (Contact Author)

Harvard Business School - Business, Government and the International Economy Unit ( email )

Cambridge, MA
United States

Jonathan B. Lackow

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

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