Counter-productive regulation

Abstract

This paper explores the issue of regulatory failure, particularly those initiatives which either do more harm than good, or at least inflict significant “collateral damage". The paper presents a typology of regressive regulatory outcomes, then seeks to explain the circumstances which give rise to this kind of policy failure. The conclusion suggests principles and safeguards, which if heeded by those in a position to formulate and implement regulatory policy, might serve to reduce the risk of undesirable unintended consequences Show more