Imperfect Public Choice

André de Palma (), Gordon Myers and Yorgos Papageorgiou

Discussion Papers from Department of Economics, Simon Fraser University

Abstract: We model public choice in a number of cases where a govern- ment, since it cannot design an optimal policy as a whole, resorts to a sequen- tial, myopic approach; and which is not free of error. We use this framework to explore governmental budgeting and welfare economics. We develop various examples that clarify how the introduction of such subjective and imperfect characteristics a¤ect predictions concerning public choice. We then provide a model which integrates bounds errors and systematic (astray) errors. We ar- gue that bounds errors and astray errors are inextricably intertwined— some level of bounded rationality is required for astray errors to emerge. We further extend this model to explore information lobbying and other types of external pressure; and we show that choosing leaders with high ability to choose, or with Madison’s wisdom to discern, is important, especially in the case of policy decisions concerning dangerous products (e.g. assault ri‡es) and environments (e.g. Covid 19).

Keywords: Behavioural Economics; Public Choice (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D90 H11 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020-12
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Related works:
Journal Article: Imperfect public choice (2023)
Working Paper: Imperfect Public Choice (2020)
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