Interest Groups: Economic Perspectives and Contributions

Abstract

This paper affords an informal introduction to the work of economists on interest groups and their role in the political process. Among the major analysts considered are Olson, Stigler, Posner, Peltzman, Becker and the Virginia economists, notably Tullock and Tollison. Political scientists are encouraged to become familiar with this body of work because the study of `rent-seeking' is now a major enterprise within public choice.