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Ulric B. and Evelyn L. Bray Social Sciences Seminar

Wednesday, March 6, 2019
4:00pm to 5:00pm
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Baxter B125
Collective Hold-Up
Santiago Oliveros, Professor of Economics, University of Essex,

Abstract: We consider a dynamic process of coalition formation in which a principal bargains sequentially with a group of agents. This problem is at the core of a variety of applications in economics and politics, including a lobbyist seeking to pass a bill, an entrepreneur setting up a start-up, or a firm seeking the approval of corrupt bureaucrats. We show that when the principal's willingness to pay is high, reallocating bargaining power from the principal to the agents generates delay and reduces agents' welfare. This occurs in spite of the lack of informational asymmetries or discriminatory offers. When this collective action problem is severe enough, agents prefer to give up considerable bargaining power in favor of principal.

Written with Matias Iaryczower

For more information, please contact Barbara Estrada by phone at 626-395-4083 or by email at [email protected].