This paper estimates welfare losses in thirty-eight U.S. food and tobacco industries at the four-digit SIC level, then relates such losses to market structure and conduct variables to identify the welfare loss determinants. Empirical findings indicate that these losses are higher in markets...

The role and importance of special interest groups in the policy process in the United States is well documented. Activities of such groups include putting political pressure on the government through lobbying and political campaign contributions to repeal certain regulations that cut into firm...