What is logrolling in the context of political economics?

Logrolling refers to the practice in political economics where elected officials trade votes to achieve mutual benefits. This often occurs when one legislator agrees to support another's proposed legislation in exchange for support on their own proposal. The concept relies on the understanding that legislators may have different priorities and agendas, but can form alliances to ensure that both their interests are served.

This strategy is common in legislative environments where elected officials recognize that they can increase their chances of getting their own policies enacted by collaborating with colleagues who have differing legislative goals. By engaging in logrolling, politicians can effectively gather the necessary votes to push forward legislation that may not have enough support on its own. The primary aim is to enhance the likelihood of passing favorable laws through cooperative bargaining, which helps in facilitating necessary compromises in the legislative process.