Part $3$: Policy Reflection

$6.[15$ pts$]$ Lobbying and Equity: A Rawlsian Perspective

a$.$ Reflect on Bombardini's suggestion to improve lobbying transparency by reporting the specific policymakers being lobbied. Using Rawls' concept of the veil of ignorance, analyze how a policymaker might design lobbying regulations if they did not know whether they would benefit or lose from lobbying activities.

Hint: Reference the lecture discussion on Rawlsian justice and prioritizing equitable outcomes under uncertainty.

b$.$ How might prioritizing the welfare of the worst$-$off groups, as suggested by Rawls' theory of justice, influence the design of trade policies affected by lobbying?

Hint: Discuss whether policies like trade adjustment assistance align with Rawlsian principles and address inefficiencies created by lobbying.

$7.[15$ pts$]$ Lobbying and Developing Countries

a$.$ From your lecture notes, explain how lobbying and tariffs differ in their roles as revenue sources for developed versus developing countries.

Hint: Use examples from your Political Economy notes, such as the reliance on tariffs for public services in low$-$income nations.

b$.$ Should developing countries adopt stricter lobbying regulations similar to those in the U$.$S$.?$ Justify your answer using class concepts.

Hint: Incorporate discussion of trade$-$offs between efficiency, equity, and political feasibility.

$8.[15$ pts$]$ Lobbying and Public Goods

a$.$ Evaluate how lobbying for sector$-$wide tariffs can be compared to the provision of public goods. What are the similarities and differences?

Hint: Refer to the collective action framework and the public goods examples discussed in class.

b$.$ Use the HO model to analyze who benefits and who loses from lobbying$-$driven trade protection in a capital$-$abundant country like the U$.$S$.$

Hint: Tie this to class discussions on factor endowments and the Stolper$-$Samuelson theorem. Submission Guidelines

$-$ Provide clear and concise answers. Write at most a couple sentences per answer.

$-$ Use diagrams where applicable.

$-$ Your responses should integrate class concepts like Heckscher$-$Ohlin and other models, surplus analysis, and social welfare functions.