Corruption and the Voter's Decision

Experimental Evidence from Brazil

Miguel F. P. de Figueiredo (University of Connecticut)

$34.95

Paperback

Forthcoming
Pre-Order now

QTY:

English

Cambridge University Press
28 February 2025

Public finance

Series: Elements in Law, Economics and Politics

Summary
Details

Despite voters' distaste for corruption, corrupt politicians frequently get reelected. This Element provides a framework for understanding when corrupt politicians are reelected. One unexplored source of electoral accountability is court rulings on candidate malfeasance, which are increasingly determining politicians' electoral prospects. The findings suggest that (1) low-income voters – in contrast to higher-income voters – are responsive to such rulings. Unlike earlier studies, we explore multiple trade-offs voters weigh when confronting corrupt candidates, including the candidate's party, policy positions, and personal attributes. The results also surprisingly show (2) low-income voters, like higher-income voters, weigh corruption allegations and policy positions similarly, and are slightly more responsive to candidate attributes. Moreover, irrespective of voter income, (3) party labels insulate candidates from corruption, and (4) candidate attributes like gender have little effect. The results have implications for when voters punish corrupt politicians, the success of anti-corruption campaigns, and the design and legitimacy of electoral institutions.

By: Miguel F. P. de Figueiredo (University of Connecticut)
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
ISBN: 9781009499767
ISBN 10: 1009499769
Series: Elements in Law, Economics and Politics
Pages: 75
Publication Date: 28 February 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming