A columnist for bloomberg.com offered the following observation about economic legislation: "History shows that concentrated opposition beats diffuse support every time." a. Briefly explain what this columnist means. b. Does his observation apply to tariffs? Briefly explain.

When we discuss tariffs, we're talking about the taxes imposed on imported goods. These taxes are usually set by a country to protect its own industries by making foreign products more expensive, hence less appealing, than local ones.

For instance, if a country sets a high tariff on imported cheese, local cheese producers are at an advantage as their cheese would be relatively cheaper than that from overseas. This concept ties into the exercise when considering who benefits from these policies – domestic producers often lobby for tariffs because it helps them compete against foreign imports.

The impact of tariffs can be multifaceted: while protecting local jobs in targeted industries, they can also lead to higher prices for consumers, possibly reducing their purchasing power. Economists often debate this trade-off when discussing the overall utility of tariffs in modern economies.

The phrase 'concentrated opposition beats diffuse support' refers to the dynamics of group interests and how they influence policy. 'Concentrated opposition' means a small, energized, and well-organized group that is intensely affected by an issue and will mobilize to oppose or support policy changes. In contrast, 'diffuse support' represents a large group that is mildly affected or less passionate about the issue, thus less likely to mobilize.

For example, a piece of legislation that could close a factory might ignite fierce resistance from the workers and the town that depend on it (concentrated opposition) despite potential benefits for the broader economy or environment (diffuse support). This concept is crucial for understanding how certain economic policies, like tariffs, can be maintained despite having widespread but less organized effects on the general populace.

Lobbying involves stakeholders attempting to influence decisions made by lawmakers or government officials. In the context of economics, business groups, labor unions, advocacy groups, or individuals engage in lobbying to push for legislative changes that would benefit them financially or strategically.

Lobbyists can provide information, make campaign contributions, or promise political support to persuade lawmakers. Often, industries or sectors like agriculture, pharmaceuticals, or manufacturing that stand to gain or lose significantly from policy changes will have the most vested interest in lobbying efforts.

In the context of the textbook exercise, domestic producers would lobby for tariffs because they limit competition from abroad, benefiting their business. This lobbying shapes economic legislation, potentially leading to tariff policies that persist due to the concentrated efforts of a small but influential group.