Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5066462 | European Economic Review | 2016 | 18 Pages |
Abstract
In this paper, we examine whether shocks in voting costs can impact elected representatives' quality, defined as the capacity to fund projects at the lowest cost. Using data on French municipalities and local variations in seasonal infections incidence as a shock on voting cost, we estimate that higher incidence lowers voter turnout, increases subsidies obtained by a municipality, decreases harmful financial decisions, and increases the municipality's investment in infrastructure. We present a model where these predictions would hold, in particular for municipalities with a high base level of turnout.
Keywords
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Economics, Econometrics and Finance
Economics and Econometrics
Authors
Raphael Godefroy, Emeric Henry,