Monopoly Agenda Control and Asymmetric Information

This paper extends the Romer-Rosenthal [1978, 1979] model of monopoly control to an environment where only the agenda setter knows with certainty outcome associated with a failed proposal. The presence of this asymmetric implies that any "take-it-or-leave-it" proposal may provide information to the decision calculus of the voters, a fact which an optimal proposal will incorporate. The equilibrium behavior of the agenda setter and voters is and contrasted with that in the complete information environment, a number of empirical predictions concerning the nature of elections with controlled agendas are derived.