Two-Tiered Political Entrepreneurship and the Congressional Committee System

27 Pages Posted: 3 Jul 2011 Last revised: 7 Jul 2011

See all articles by Diana Weinert Thomas

Diana Weinert Thomas

Creighton University

Adam G. Martin

Texas Tech University - Free Market Institute

Date Written: April 15, 2011

Abstract

Theories of political entrepreneurship usually focus on the construction of coalitions necessary to change policy. We argue that political entrepreneurs who are unable to secure favored policies may redirect their efforts to a “higher tier,” attempting to change the rules of the game to enable the exploitation of future political profit opportunities. We present a taxonomy of three levels of political rules - pre-constitutional, constitutional, and post-constitutional - and identify the salient characteristics of institutional entrepreneurship that targets rules at each level. The development of the congressional committee system is explored as a case study in entrepreneurship over post-constitutional rules.

Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Congressional Committee System, Collective Action, Institutions

JEL Classification: L26, D71, D72, D02

Suggested Citation

Thomas, Diana Weinert and Martin, Adam G., Two-Tiered Political Entrepreneurship and the Congressional Committee System (April 15, 2011). Public Choice, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1876606

Diana Weinert Thomas (Contact Author)

Creighton University ( email )

2500 California Plaza
Omaha, NE 68178
United States

Adam G. Martin

Texas Tech University - Free Market Institute ( email )

Box 45059
Lubbock, TX 79409-5059
United States

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