This paper studies a principal’s trade-off between using persuasion versus using interpersonal authority to get the agent to ‘do the right thing’ from the principal’s perspective (when the principal and agent openly disagree on the right course of action). It shows that persuasion and authority are complements at low levels of effectiveness but substitutes at high levels. Furthermore, the princ...

This paper presents a theory of the allocation of authority in an organization in which centralization is limited by the agent’s ability to disobey the principal. We show that workers are given more authority when they are costly to replace or do not mind looking for another job, even if they have no information advantage over the principal. The allocation of authority thus depends on external ...

It was not in a grove of trees, and I did see pillar light when first communed with Heavenly Mother. Instead, lying crumpled on the floor my shower, hot water beating down upon me. My breasts were heavy sore from producing milk for second baby, colicky newborn who would just stop crying. called out help, “Heavenly Mother, need you. Where are you? Why can't talk to you?”I Her. hear But felt Her ...

Within organizations, there are typically limits to leaders’ authority. This paper explores how organizations are structured in the face of such constraints. Many organizational phenomena can be understood as due to leaders’ desire to bolster the “legitimacy” of their authority. Examples include: above-market-clearing wages, merger decisions, bureaucratic organization, and rejection of overqual...

States claim to have authority over prospective immigrants who not yet been admitted but are nonetheless expected comply with immigration law. But what could ground such an claim? The service conception of defended by Raz appears apply in this case. Nor can it be argued that give their consent the state applying for admission. Another approach appeals practice reciprocity between states respect...

Using the 1957-2004 data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, we explore the effect of job authority in 1993 (at age 54) on the change in depressive symptoms between 1993 and 2004 (age 65) among white men and women. Within-gender comparisons indicate that women with job authority (defined as control over others' work) exhibit more depressive symptoms than women without job authority, whereas ...