RENT SEEKING: The inclination of everyone who is alive and breathing to get as much as they can for themselves. These stems from the idea of economic rent, which is a payment over above the opportunity cost. People are said to be rent seeking when they try to get higher wages, more profit, or any other payment over above the minimum they would be willing to accept. See also | opportunity cost | wage | profit | special interest group | public choice | consumer surplus | producer surplus |