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Justice-seeking in the perspective of rent-seeking

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Abstract

Modern theories of rent-seeking analyze both input and output of rent-seeking to assess its effects on societies. Also, justice-seeking is associated with cost and outcome. Social cost of justice-seeking is enormous if justice is sought through such means as violence or fighting. On the other hand, social cost is low if justice-seeking takes place through peaceful means including negotiation. Likewise, justice-seeking produces some end results such as changes in institutions which result in greater distributive justice. At the same time, it can lead a society towards further chaos and anarchy. Therefore, a model of justice-seeking should consider both justice-seeking cost and outcome. Drawing upon the analytical framework of rent-seeking, the paper argues that justice-seeking can be welfare-enhancing or welfare-reducing depending on the process of seeking-justice as well as the results it produces. Evidences are provided illustrating some episodes of justice-seeking.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Management, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, 1-1 Jumonjibaru, Beppu, Oita, 874-8577, Japan

    Yasushi Suzuki

  2. College of Economics, Management, and Information Systems, University of Nizwa, P.O. Box no 33, 616, Birkat Al Mouz, Oman

    Md. Dulal Miah

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  1. Yasushi Suzuki
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  2. Md. Dulal Miah
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Correspondence to Md. Dulal Miah.

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Suzuki, Y., Miah, M.D. Justice-seeking in the perspective of rent-seeking. Evolut Inst Econ Rev 12, 283–306 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40844-015-0019-9

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