Determinants of the Increase in the Number of Interest Groups in Western Democracies: Theoretical Considerations and Evidence from 21 OECD Countries

Ivo Bischoff ()

Public Choice, 2003, vol. 114, issue 1-2, 197-218

Abstract: Mancur Olson's theory of institutional sclerosis is based on the notion that the number of interest groups within a country increases with the duration of its political stability. The following paper argues that the increase in the number of interest groups over time could also be a concomitant of economic development. Theoretically, both explanations prove tenable. An empirical cross-sectional regression analysis using data from 21 OECD countries finds no evidence for a significant impact of the duration of political stability on the number of interest groups. A significantly positive effect is, however, reported for the degree of economic development. Copyright 2003 by Kluwer Academic Publishers

Date: 2003
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