Which term describes the practice of former government officials moving to private sector employment related to their prior government work?

• A. The revolving door.
• B. Agency capture.
• C. Political clientelism.
• D. Policy diffusion.

Answer: (A)

The revolving door captures the practice of moving between government roles and private sector jobs that relate to that public work. When former officials join firms they once regulated or influenced, they bring insider knowledge, networks, and prestige that can shape future policy, contracts, or enforcement in ways that benefit their new employers or colleagues. This movement creates potential conflicts of interest and raises questions about how public decisions are made after leaving office, which is exactly what this term describes.

Agency capture refers to regulators becoming dominated by the industries they oversee, typically through ongoing influence rather than simply switching jobs. Political clientelism centers on patronage and rewarding political supporters with jobs or favors. Policy diffusion is about ideas and policies spreading from one government to another. The revolving door specifically explains the cross-border flow of people between government and the private sector related to prior government roles.