FTC Activity and Presidential Effects Revisited

Economist and former FTC Executive Director Bruce Yandle uses research by Stewart and Cromartie published previously in Presidential Studies Quarterly as a springboard for further analysis of the political economy of the FTC. He provides new data and suggests that perhaps the "party in power" model's attempt to explain regulatory politics should yield to congressional and special interest models. Reconsiderations of both studies clarify the meanings of the findings and suggest paths for future research on this topic. It is also suggested that it is probably premature to dispose of Presidential partisanship as a variable for analysis in future studies.