The Regulators: Anonymous Power Brokers in American Politics

About the Book

The Regulators is a fresh look at how the regulatory system works in Washington and how it affects the life of every American. The book, an incisive and sometimes entertaining look at the back corridors of government, draws upon real-life regulatory episodes that illustrate the power and reach of the rule-making establishment in Washington. It's the first examination of the regulatory world, and the entities that interact with it, that is both accessible and indispensable to undergraduate, graduate, business, and law students, as well as regulatory practitioners and political junkies alike.

Table of Contents:

Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 I The Long Arm of the Regulators: The Ubiquitous Regulatory State
Chapter 3 II The Regulators: Who Makes the Rules, and How Much Power Do They Have?
Chapter 4 III Special Interests: Bending the Will of the Regulators
Chapter 5 IV The End of the Century Crucible of Reform: The Critical Testing Ground for Regulation
Chapter 6 V The Price Tag of Regulation: The Cost-Benefit Equation
Chapter 7 VI The Future of Regulation: From Enron and Homeland Security to Globalization

About the Author :
Cindy Skrzycki is a business columnist for The Washington Post, specializing in the nexus between government, business, and regulation.

Review :
Few people know more about the underworld of government regulation than Cindy Skrzycki. Here she guides us through the labyrinthian depths and points out the most important sights along the way—who regulates, how regulations get made, and in what ways they shape our daily lives. The Regulators is a useful, lively, and entertaining book on the federal bureaucracy. No, that is not an oxymoron! Cindy Skrzycki, the Washington Post's long time reporter on the regulatory beat, knows better than anyone the stories of political power struggles, lobbying duels, and legal battles that have taken place 'inside the Beltway' in the last 20 years. These include the role of the powerful White House agency known as 'OIRA,' the appropriateness of placing a value on human life, and the fight over 'midnight regulations.' She has combined her best insights and stories into this highly readable volume, which will be of interest to lawyers, political scientists, and students of all ages—anyone who wants to know how things really work inthe halls of Washington.. Cindy Skrzycki shines a bright light on the most important, yet least understood process of government: converting the broad laws that Congress and the president enact into tight rules that actually govern real behavior. Her sentences are sharp and to the point, her prose easily understandable, and her insights right on target. This book is an essential reader for both the regulated (us) and the regulators (them). Cindy Skrzycki shines the light of her reporter's intelligence on what is certainly the most obscure but arguably the most important area of government—the regulatory agencies. Consumers, business people, and political buffs will all find her revelations riveting. An extremely clear, helpful, and intelligent guide. Highly recommended. The Regulators is a useful, lively, and entertaining book on the federal bureaucracy. No, that is not an oxymoron! Cindy Skrzycki, the Washington Post's long time reporter on the regulatory beat, knows better than anyone the stories of political power struggles, lobbying duels, and legal battles that have taken place 'inside the Beltway' in the last 20 years. These include the role of the powerful White House agency known as 'OIRA,' the appropriateness of placing a value on human life, and the fight over 'midnight regulations.' She has combined her best insights and stories into this highly readable volume, which will be of interest to lawyers, political scientists, and students of all ages—anyone who wants to know how things really work in the halls of Washington. Revealing. Skrzycki's book is quite an accopmlishment. It's a book about federal bureaucracy—perhaps the dullest, driest, most mundane subject matter imaginable— and Skrzycki makes it fascinating. The book will make absorbing reading for anyone interested in American politics and regulation. Engaging . . . well-crafted. Highly recommended.