Formal Human Capital Attainment of Career Legislators In the US Congress: Modeling Legislatures as Unions
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-1-2001
Department
Political Science, International Development, and International Affairs
Abstract
The present paper employs a human capital model that examines, among other things, the educational attainment of career politicians/legislators. Statistical evidence is presented which suggests that the formal educational levels differ systematically between career and non-career politicians/legislators at the federal level (i.e., in the U.S. Congress) - a result consistent with the implications of the legislative pay union model developed by McCormick and Tollison (1978). Any adverse selection consequences are potentially significant regarding the quality of federal legislation and the social cost of government activities.
Publication Title
Public Choice
Volume
108
Issue
3-4
First Page
369
Last Page
386
Recommended Citation
Mixon, F. G.
(2001). Formal Human Capital Attainment of Career Legislators In the US Congress: Modeling Legislatures as Unions. Public Choice, 108(3-4), 369-386.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/3842