In the traditional formulation of rent-seeking games, increasing returns to effort are characterized by an exponent r1. However, when the value of the rent is normalized to 1, the players’ effort levels A and B will typically be less than 1. Thus, when A1 and r1, the value of A <Superscript> r </Superscript> decreases...</superscript>

In this paper we revisit Tullock's paradox (Tullock, 1980) and consider a rent-seeking game in which parties face increasing returns to effort. We allow parties to randomize their strategies and give them an exit option. Given the mixed participation strategies of the parties, valuable rents may...