Business, Government, and Regulation: Business, Government, and Regulation


Chapter Ten Objectives: Chapter Ten Objectives Discuss the government’s role in its relationship with business Explore the interactions among business, government, and the public Examine government’s nonregulatory influences List major reasons for regulation, the types, and issues arising out of regulation Consider regulation versus deregulation


Chapter Ten Outline: Chapter Ten Outline A Brief History of Government’s Role The Roles of Government and Business Interaction of Business, Government, and the Public Government’s Nonregulatory Influence on Business Government’s Regulatory Influence on Business Deregulation Summary


Introduction to Chapter Ten: Introduction to Chapter Ten The chapter examines the relationship between business and government and in particular the government’s role in influencing business decision making.


Government’s Role in Influencing Business: Government’s Role in Influencing Business Prescribes the rules of the game for business. Purchases business’ products and services. Uses it contracting power to get business to do things it wants. Is a major promoter and subsidizer of business. Is the owner of vast quantities of productive equipment and wealth. 


Government’s Role in Influencing Business: Government’s Role in Influencing Business Is an architect of economic growth. Is a financier. Is the protector of various interests in society against business exploitation. Directly manages large areas of private business. Is the repository of the social conscience and redistributes resources to meet social objectives


Roles of Government and Business: Roles of Government and Business What should be the respective roles of business and government in our socioeconomic system? Given all of the tasks that must be accomplished to make our society work, which of these tasks should be handled by the government and which should be handled by business? How much autonomy are we willing to allow business?


Roles of Government and Business: Roles of Government and Business Business Beliefs Maximizes concession to self-interest Minimizes the load of obligations society imposes on the individual (personal freedom) Emphasizes inequalities of individuals Government Beliefs Subordinated individual goals and self-interest to group goals and group interests Maximized obligations assumed by the individual and discouraging self-interest Emphasized equality of individuals Clash of Ethical Systems


Roles of Government and Business: Roles of Government and Business Social, Technological, and Value Change National society Communal society Entitlements Quality of life


Interaction of Business, Government, and the Public: Interaction of Business, Government, and the Public Business Public Government Lobbying Regulations and Other Forms of Persuasion Advertising Public Relations Political Process Voting Interest Groups Contributions


Interaction of Business, Government, and the Public: Interaction of Business, Government, and the Public Government/business relationship Public/government relationship Business/public relationship


Government’s Nonregulatory Influence on Business: Government’s Nonregulatory Influence on Business Two Major Nonregulatory Issues Industrial policy Privatization


Government’s Nonregulatory Influence on Business: Government’s Nonregulatory Influence on Business Industrial Policy: Schools of Thought Accelerationists Adjusters Targeters Central planners Bankers


Government’s Nonregulatory Influence on Business: Government’s Nonregulatory Influence on Business Pros Decline of U.S. competitiveness Use by other nations Ad hoc system Cons Reduces market efficiency Promotes political decisions Foreign success variable National attempts uncoordinated and irrational Industrial Policy


Government’s Nonregulatory Influence on Business: Government’s Nonregulatory Influence on Business Privatization Producing versus providing a service Privatization debate Federalization of certain functions Airport security


Government’s Nonregulatory Influence on Business: Government’s Nonregulatory Influence on Business Major employer Large purchaser Major influence Subsidies Transfer payments Major competitor Major lender Taxation Monetary policy Moral suasion Other Nonregulatory Influences


Government’s Regulatory Influence on Business: Government’s Regulatory Influence on Business Factors to Consider Regarding Government Regulation Protection Scope Cost


Government’s Regulatory Influence on Business: Government’s Regulatory Influence on Business Federal Regulatory Agency Has decision-making authority Establishes standards or guidelines conferring benefits and imposing restrictions on business conduct Operates principally in the sphere of domestic business activity Has its head and/or members appointed by the president (generally subject to Senate confirmation) Has its legal procedures generally governed by the Administrative Procedures Act


Government’s Regulatory Influence on Business: Government’s Regulatory Influence on Business Controls natural monopolies Controls negative externalities Achieves social goals Other reasons Controls excess profits Controls excessive competition Reasons for Regulation


Government’s Regulatory Influence on Business: Government’s Regulatory Influence on Business Economic regulation Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Social regulation Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Types of Regulation


Government’s Regulatory Influence on Business: Government’s Regulatory Influence on Business 10-21


Government’s Regulatory Influence on Business: Government’s Regulatory Influence on Business Fair treatment of employees Safer working conditions Safer products Cleaner air and water Benefits of Regulation


Government’s Regulatory Influence on Business: Government’s Regulatory Influence on Business Costs of Regulation Direct costs Indirect costs Induced costs Effects Reduced innovation Reduced investment in plant and equipment Increased pressure on small business


Deregulation: Deregulation Purpose Intended to increase competition with the expected benefits of greater efficiency, lower prices, and enhanced innovation. Dilemma Must enhance competition without sacrificing applicable social regulations (e.g., health and safety requirements). Purpose & Dilemma


Selected Key Terms: Accelerationists Adjusters Bankers Central planners Deregulation Direct costs of regulation Economic regulation Excess profits Excessive competition Federalization Individualistic ethic Induced costs Industrial policy Market failure Natural monopoly Negative externalities Privatization Regulation Social Costs Social regulation Targeters Selected Key Terms