Moonlighting Politicians: A Survey and Research Agenda

Abstract

Elected representatives in many countries are legally allowed to carry out (un)paid jobs in addition to their political mandate, often referred to as 'moonlighting'. Despite the important selection and incentive effects such outside positions might engender, academic studies evaluating the prevalence, desirability and/or consequences of politicians' moonlighting have remained relatively scarce; often due to severe data restrictions. In recent years, however, more stringent disclosure rules have increased data availability, and large-sample analyses are becoming increasingly feasible. Besides surveying recent empirical contributions to this developing research field, this paper also outlines unresolved issues and thereby develops an agenda for future enquiry.

The Perks of Being a Lawmaker: Returns to Office as a Legislative Goal

“…Carey () theorizes that rank‐and‐file members face pressures from “competing principals,” including employers, to deviate from party‐line orthodoxy on votes. Indeed, many scholars find empirical evidence that lawmakers pursue private gains while holding public office (Beniers and Dur ; Couch, Atkinson, and Shughart ; Fedele and Naticchioni 2013; Gagliarducci, Nannicini, and Naticchioni ; Geys and Mause ; Parker ; Szakonyi ).…”

Election Cycles in MPs' outside Interests? The UK House of Commons, 2005–2010

“…First, registering employment of family members paid from the MP's staffing allowance (Category 12) has only been required since April 2008. Although hiring family members could supplant income obtained from extra‐parliamentary jobs (a sort of ‘outsourcing’; Geys and Mause, forthcoming), it is unlikely that this new publication requirement significantly affected extra‐parliamentary activities. It is indeed easier to stop paying family members from the staffing allowance, and hide their employment from public scrutiny, than to replace such income by additional extra‐parliamentary activities.…”

“…Yet they are not always looked upon favourably by the mass media and the broader public. Indeed, often described as ‘moonlighting’ (Gagliarducci et al ., 2010; Geys and Mause, forthcoming), they have been equated with personal greed, conflicts of interest, neglect of parliamentary duties and putting private well‐being before the nation (e.g., Carlin, 2007; Noel‐Baker, 1961). This negative view was strengthened during the recent series of scandals over MPs' expenses claims (in 2009 in the UK and 2011 in the European Parliament) and acceptance of ‘cash for influence’ (in 2009 and 2010 in the UK and 2011 in the European Parliament), ‘cash for questions’ (in 1994) or ‘cash for honours’ (in 2006–7) (see also Allen, 2008).…”

Are Female Legislators Different? Exploring Sex Differences in German MPs' Outside Interests

“…Before proceeding with the analysis, however, it should be noted that the number of outside interests is clearly an imperfect measure of MPs extra-parliamentary activities. It does not account for activities' relevance to MPs' constituency (which may be considered part of the legislator's job description), it does not allow estimating the true workload of politicians involved in these jobs, and it does not reflect the level of remuneration involved in the activities (see also Geys and Mause, 2013). Although it is the best indicator available in the German setting, these limitations should be kept in mind throughout the ensuing analysis.…”