What assumptions are made about the motivations of the regulators in? (a) Public interest theory

In the public interest theory of regulation, the main driver is that the regulators want to do public good, no matter the circumstances. This is because society needs confidence in the marketplace in order for them to be productive.

In the capture theory of regulation, the main driver is that the regulators want to ensure that the regulations themselves are advantageous to the industry as a whole. Thus, for financial regulations, this theory would want the regulations to be in the financial sector's favor.

For the economic interest theory of regulation, the main driver is that the regulators will act to protect economic interest. For example, regulators would reach out to governments to ensure there is tariff protections.