Are Democrats conservative?
Subtitle: towards a theory of the role of standard setters in standard setting
By: Abigail Allen, Karthik Ramanna
Contributors: Ramanna, Karthik; Harvard Business School
Series: Working paper / Harvard Business School -- 10-105; Working paper (Harvard Business School) -- 10-105.
Publisher: Harvard Business School
Published: 2010
Place of publication: [Boston]
Language: eng
Number of pages: 55
Description: We investigate the role of standard setters in standard setting. In particular, we examine how the backgrounds and personal politics of FASB members influence the nature of accounting standards proposed between 1973 and 2007. Among other results, we find that length of service on the board and a prior career in investment banking/ investment management are associated with proposing standards perceived as decreasing accounting "reliability;" while affiliation with the Democratic Party is associated with proposing standards perceived as increasing accounting "reliability." Broadly, the evidence suggests that individuals on the FASB have a wider influence in the political economy of standard setting than is currently understood.
Notes: "June 2010"--Publisher's website.

"First draft: May 21, 2010; This draft: May 28, 2010"--added t.p.

Includes bibliographical references.