Population and Regulation
36 Pages Posted: 13 Jan 2004
There are 2 versions of this paper
Population and Regulation
Population and Regulation
Date Written: December 2003
Abstract
We present a model of efficient regulation along the lines of Demsetz (1967). In this model, setting up and running regulatory institutions takes a fixed cost, and therefore jurisdictions with larger populations affected by a given regulation are more likely to have them. Consistent with the model, we find that higher population U.S. states have more pages of legislation and adopt particular laws earlier in their history. We also find that specific types of regulation, including the regulation of entry, the regulation of labor, and the military draft are more extensive in countries with larger populations. Overall, the data show that population is an empirically important determinant of regulation.
JEL Classification: H11, K2, L51, P51
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
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