The Bootleggers and Baptists theory holds that durable regulation arises from an implicit coalition between an economic interest group that profits from the rule ('bootleggers') and a moralizing group that provides altruistic cover ('Baptists'), exemplified by Sunday liquor bans where Baptists lobby for closure and bootleggers gain a one-day-a-week illegal market—without the two ever needing to coordinate.

definitionpending

Speaker

Bruce Yandle

Evidence Quote

the good Baptist who hope to see a demon in the consumtion of alcoholic beverages Lobby the state legisl... to shut down the liquor stores on Sunday... then there are people in the community who say well I'm going to try to satisfy that deand and of course we call them boot leers

Source

Bruce Yandle on Bootleggers and BaptistsAnkeborgsAnkdamm
Created: 6/15/2026, 9:20:30 AM

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