Progress and Perspectives in the Study of Political Selection

Ernesto Dal Bó and Frederico Finan

No 24783, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: We provide a model of self-selection by candidates in a probabilistic voting environment to shed light on the forces shaping the quality of politicians from both the supply and demand sides of politics. The model highlights that the patterns of selection and the comparative statics of politician quality depend critically on how the costs of running for office vary for candidates with different qualities. The model offers predictions on how the quality of the political class will vary with key parameters pertaining to both the supply and demand for candidates. We use the model to frame a review of the empirical literature on political selection that has emerged in the last two decades. We contrast areas where significant progress has been made with others where important theoretical predictions remain untested or existing evidence does not allow a consensus, highlighting areas for future research.

JEL-codes: D72 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cdm and nep-pol
Note: DEV PE POL
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (41)

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