Originally published in Encyclopedia of Law and Economics
This chapter explores the concept of rent seeking. When resources earn returns in excess of those they could earn in their next best opportunity, economists call those returns “rents.” In the market, the seeking of rents is known as profit seeking; in politics it is known as “rent seeking.” Profit seeking generates social value through the competitive market process. Rent seeking results in social losses as finite resources are used to pursue transfers of wealth rather than in the production of new wealth. This entry explores the distinction between rent seeking and profit seeking and discusses the implications.
Additional details
Read the chapter here.
To speak with a scholar or learn more on this topic, visit our contact page.