Voter Turnout and Fiscal Policy

Speaker
Raphael Godefroy
Date
16/12/2013 - 12:30 - 11:00Add To Calendar 2013-12-16 11:00:00 2013-12-16 12:30:00 Voter Turnout and Fiscal Policy Abstract: Though a large literature on causes of voter turnout has flourished, there is scant evidence on consequences of turnout on policies implemented in practice. Using data on French municipalities, and instrumental variables for turnout based on rainfall and influenza incidence, we estimate that a 1 percent increase in turnout decreases the municipal budget by more than 2 percent. This e ffect is mediated by a decrease in sales and purchases of physical assets. With a model of electoral competition, we show that a party with a low budget platform has a numerical advantage causing its win when turnout is high. אוניברסיטת בר-אילן - Department of Economics Economics.Dept@mail.biu.ac.il Asia/Jerusalem public
Affiliation
University of Montreal
Abstract

Abstract: Though a large literature on causes of voter turnout has flourished, there is scant evidence on consequences of turnout on policies implemented in practice. Using data on French municipalities, and instrumental variables for turnout based on rainfall and influenza incidence, we estimate that a 1 percent increase in turnout decreases the municipal budget by more than 2 percent. This e ffect is mediated by a decrease in sales and purchases of physical assets. With a model of electoral competition, we show that a party with a low budget platform has a numerical advantage causing its win when turnout is high.

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Last Updated Date : 09/10/2013