In the context of regulatory decisions, the political conflict between
executive and legislative branches has been significant. The relative ideological
stances and power resources of federal agencies and Congress determines regulation
outcomes. In particular, when agencies earn sufficient political support
from policy stakeholders by relying on procedural justice, they are able to secure
the regulatory outcomes they desire without congressional intervention. Because
legislators are highly concerned about their reelection prospects, policy stakeholders?
political support is an important power resource for agencies. Legislators
are likely to embrace regulatory decisions made by agencies supported by policy
stakeholders even if they disregard congressional preferences. This article provides
evidence for this proposition by reviewing media concentration regulation
policies of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission.
