The Political Spectrum

"Mr. Hazlett provides a fascinating history. . . . The Political Spectrum is full of valuable instruction—especially for lawyers, economists and other students of regulation for whom the book provides example after example of the strategic use of the regulatory process. Potential entrepreneurs in fields where regulation may be a barrier—fintech, pharma and transportation, for example—will benefit too, finding cautionary tales about how to enter a market with a disruptive idea."—Gregory L. Rosston, Wall Street Journal

"A perfect blend of economic insight, historical anecdotes, and lessons that present and future regulators in any industry can use to benefit citizens and society rather than being guided by their own aims, biases, or fears. Anybody interested in telecom, politics, regulation, or economics should read this book; they will learn much."—Jeffrey Dorfman, Forbes.com

"In this book, Thomas W. Hazlett shows how administrative management of the radio spectrum has always been inefficient and, with the mobile and digital revolutions, the costs of not allocating spectrum by the market are rising dramatically. This is a deadly serious subject, but Hazlett’s engaging writing style vastly enlivens it."— Martin Cave, author of Spectrum Management—How to Get the Best Out of the Airwaves for Society and the Economy

"A masterpiece of wisdom and wit, The Political Spectrum proves that, when applied to the airways, the higher the stakes, the higher the waste. Tom Hazlett’s narrative is comprehensive, incisive, and characteristically hilarious."—Vernon L. Smith, Chapman University, 2002 Nobel Laureate in Economics

"A masterful book written in an agreeably informal and non-technical style, this is essential reading for anyone interested in the law and economics of spectrum allocation, from Marconi to the Internet."—H.E. Frech III, University of California, Santa Barbara

"Among [the] proponents of a market for spectrum, none is more vocal and persuasive than. . . . Thomas Hazlett. . . . Hazlett has done an extraordinary service demonstrating the harm of government-managed spectrum."—Lawrence Lessig, The Future of Ideas

"Few understand spectrum, and yet few things are more important to our networked future. Tom Hazlett covers it all superbly. A monumental work."—Gerald Faulhaber, The Wharton School and School of Law, University of Pennsylvania