Application of Ex ante measures in political delegation: The case of Lithuania

Abstract

This article employs the principal-agent model to broaden the understanding of the interrelationship between Lithuanian political parties and the members of parliament (MPs). An analysis of ex ante measures in containing agency losses revealed that Lithuanian political parties (the proximate principals) encounter undisciplined behaviour on the part of their MPs (the agents). Furthermore, the majority of political parties have experienced difficulties in selecting the ‘right’ candidates and the ‘right’ MPs. This outcome challenges the principles of delegation and accountability and, most likely, diminishes the representative functions of the Lithuanian political parties at the initial stage of the political delegation chain.