Multilateral Bargaining with Collective Proposal Control

I study a model of multilateral bargaining in which multiple proposers simultaneously make offers on several pies. I identify a novel source of inefficient delay unique to multilateral bargaining -- free-riding among proposers. I establish that there exist stationary equilibria with delay and describe the equilibrium agreement distributions. In the worst equilibrium agents agree if the proposal power is sufficiently concentrated. I compare the efficiency consequences of different voting rules, showing that voting rules requiring approval by greater majorities lead to more delay in the worst equilibrium. Applications of the model include legislative bargaining and bargaining in international organizations