The Impact of ‘Boss’ Candidates and Local Political Machines on Elections in Ukraine

Erik S. Herron and Fredrik M. Sjoberg

Europe-Asia Studies, 2016, vol. 68, issue 6, 985-1002

Abstract: The business sector has strongly influenced Ukrainian electoral campaigns since the founding post-communist elections. This article investigates the role of influential, local business-sector candidates, whom we label ‘boss’ candidates, in illicit campaign activities, using unique biographical, electoral, and crowd-sourced data from the 2012 parliamentary elections. The analysis shows that higher levels of competition among candidates with ‘boss’ characteristics are associated with elevated reports of voter manipulation, specifically vote buying. The findings add to extant research on election integrity in Eastern Europe and Eurasia, presenting quantitative empirical evidence that is consistent with narratives about Ukrainian electoral corruption.

Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1080/09668136.2016.1208811

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