Regulatory Capture

Regulatory capture’s antecedents in political thought—which date back to ancient Greece—inform the modern concept.

Enforcement decisions are oft-overlooked, yet such decisions merit heightened scrutiny if regulatory capture is to be reined in.

These two forms of regulatory capture require different solutions.

Prosecutions of individual corporate criminals can, in fact, be successful—and are critical for attaining justice.

Regulatory capture, neither inevitable nor a death trap for agencies, must be reduced to advance public policy goals.

Holding companies accountable for crimes is essential, yet more must be done to end “too big to jail” concerns.

External and internal capture may be reduced through a more logical division of labor between Congress and agencies.

Closer congressional supervision can prevent special interests from dominating the regulatory process.

It is time for government to stop private interests from gaining improper influence over regulators.

The right regulatory reforms can level the playing field between the public and powerful corporate players.

Curbing excessive economic rents might bolster productivity and address rising inequality.

Distinguished public servants and scholars examine critical issues concerning regulatory capture—and offer solutions on its eradication.