The Dynamic Electoral Returns of a Large Anti-Poverty Program

Laura Zimmermann

No 506, GLO Discussion Paper Series from Global Labor Organization (GLO)

Abstract: Short-term re-election strategies are widely used by governments around the world. This is problematic if governments can maximize their re-election chances by prioritizing short-term spending before an election over long-term reforms. This paper tests whether longer program exposure has a causal effect on election outcomes in the context of a large anti-poverty program in India. Using a regression-discontinuity framework, the results show that length of program exposure lowers electoral support for the government. The paper discusses a couple of potential explanations, finding that the most plausible mechanism is that voters hold the government accountable for the program's implementation quality.

Keywords: election outcomes; voting behavior; accountability; India; anti-poverty programs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D72 H53 I38 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cdm and nep-pol
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Journal Article: The Dynamic Electoral Returns of a Large Antipoverty Program (2021)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:zbw:glodps:506

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