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Ballot structure and political selection. Evidence from changes in electoral rules

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  • Papagni, Erasmo
  • Baraldi, Anna Laura
  • Alfano, Maria Rosaria

Abstract

This paper studies the effect of different ballot structures in proportional representation systems on the educational attainment of elected politicians as a proxy for their “ability”. By exploiting the Italian electoral reform that switched from open to blocked lists of candidates, the difference-in-differences analysis shows that the reform lowered the educational attainment of national politicians compared to the counterfactual (regional politicians). The dynamic impact of the reform is persistent over time, and it is robust to several concerns. The estimates account for the changes in the party system due to the “Clean hands” judicial inquiry against political corruption that began in 1992. The voters’ choice of better politicians than political parties seems to be the most likely mechanism behind the results.

Suggested Citation

  • Papagni, Erasmo & Baraldi, Anna Laura & Alfano, Maria Rosaria, 2023. "Ballot structure and political selection. Evidence from changes in electoral rules," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 51(1), pages 324-347.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jcecon:v:51:y:2023:i:1:p:324-347
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jce.2022.10.001
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Ballot structure; Preference vote; Politicians’ quality; Human capital;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • K16 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - Election Law
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models

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