Ethnically asymmetric political representation and the provision of public goods: theory and evidence from Ethiopia

Teferi Mergo (), Alain-Désiré Nimubona () and Horatiu Alin Rus ()
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Teferi Mergo: University of Waterloo
Alain-Désiré Nimubona: University of Waterloo
Horatiu Alin Rus: University of Waterloo

Economics of Governance, 2023, vol. 24, issue 4, No 6, 519-547

Abstract: Abstract While the salience of ethnicity as a factor in African politics has been documented in the literature, less is known about its impacts on economic development. Using data from Ethiopia, we study the developmental impacts of ethnically asymmetric political representation. We find that enhanced political representation improves access to public goods. Moreover, regional disparities of access to public goods due to improved political representation are more pronounced in rural than in urban areas. To complement our empirical analysis, we construct a theoretical model that suggests potential mechanisms through which public goods provision favors regions with better political representation.

Keywords: Political representation; Public goods; Ethiopia; Non-democratic politics; Ethno-federalism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: H41 O10 O55 P16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1007/s10101-023-00302-8

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