The Paradox of Implicit Logrolling
The process of implicit logrolling (p.101) is a form of indirect vote-trading that heavily relies on the bundling of wedge issues. By way of tying specific groupings of policies and candidates to attract target demographics of voters. Per Buchanan and Tullock (1962), such arrangements encompassing political platforms can be manipulated by “…political entrepreneurs…”. Simultaneously considering the zealous nature of many single-issue voters, it is easy to see why implicit logrolling is such an effective mechanism in shaping the American political landscape. If the American voters continue to support controversial political positions, implicit logrolling will be effective.
Most analysts ignore how voters reconcile selecting programs and political candidates that hold logically inconsistent views. For example, an individual that defends abortion rights on the grounds of a bodily integrity argument concurrently favoring vaccine mandates. Whatever happened to “my body, my choice”? Although, if this individual held both positions on the grounds of an externalities argument, perhaps there might not be any logical discrepancies. However, few voters delve that deep into the logic of their political philosophies. Here lies the Paradox of Implicit Logrolling; political platforms drive voters to support policies they would not otherwise choose. We have most saliently observed this phenomenon in the demographic shifts within the Republican Party. The GOP was once favoring free trade, now advocates for tariffs.
Inverted logic 
As a footnote, abortions do generate an “externality” — at least from the unborn child’s point of view.
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That’s an excellent point. It could even be extended to the idea that the procedure causes moral hazard.
Incentives people to engage in more reckless sexual activities. I used abortion as a quick example to demonstrate the issue if “bodily integrity”. I suppose I was a little obtuse in attempting to utilize it in such a narrow sense.
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agreed! bodily integrity for me but not for thee…
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Do you think the “Paradox of Implicit Logrolling” is Journal of brief ideas worthy?
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That would make a brilliant contribution!
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I wasn’t sure if there was a Public Choice scholar that had already scooped that one up. It demonstrates an observation more than it explains the underlying phenomon.
Also, did you happen catch Constitution Day at Cato? Intermittenl, I caught a few the panels, work did get in the way of a few them.
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I saw the program but I had to attend a four-hour “emotional intelligence” workshop on campus … what a waste of time!
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Jesus fucking Christmas ( I apologize for the language) and I thought corporate offices were bad when it came to this kind of horseshit.
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hear, hear!
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The Paradox of Implicit Logrolling has been submitted to JBI.
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That is awesome … based on my experience (I have three “brief ideas” in all in JBI), your piece will be posted in October or November, but it will be posted!
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Nice. It will be my second contribution to the journal.
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