Is rent–seeking immoral? Examining the behaviour of religion–based political action committees and coalitions

Abstract

Tullock recently offered six possible explanations for the observed size disparity between the rent-seeking industry in the major democracies and the value of the actual rent to be derived. One of these is the possibility that rent-seeking is considered immoral by large segments of society, who therefore are unwilling to engage in the activity. The purpose of this study is to provide an empirical response to this possible explanation provided by Tullock. The statistical evidence presented here suggests the lack of an ethical or moral basis against rent-seeking. Therefore, attempts to explain the disparity noted by Tullock should, perhaps, proceed down other avenues.