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Can Redistribution Change Policy Views? Aid and Attitudes toward Refugees in Uganda

Author

Listed:
  • Travis Baseler

    (University of Rochester)

  • Thomas Ginn

    (Center for Global Development)

  • Robert Hakiza

    (Young African Refugees for Integral Development (YARID))

  • Helidah Ogude-Chambert

    (University of Oxford)

  • Olivia Woldemikael

    (Harvard University)

Abstract

Many public policies create (perceived) winners and losers, but there is little evidence on whether redistribution can support new political economy equilibria that raise aggregate welfare. We conduct a randomized controlled trial in Kampala, Uganda studying foreign aid programs for Ugandans which are explicitly connected to the refugee presence. Cash grants labeled as part of the refugee aid response substantially increase support for admitting more refugees and allowing them to work and integrate. Sharing information about public goods funded by the refugee response has smaller, though still significant, effects. Impacts persist for at least two years and are associated with changing beliefs about the economic effects of refugees. We find minimal impacts of intergroup contact, implemented as business mentorship by an experienced refugee. Overall, our results suggest that economic interventions can meaningfully shape policy views when the connection between the policy and the assistance is salient.

Suggested Citation

  • Travis Baseler & Thomas Ginn & Robert Hakiza & Helidah Ogude-Chambert & Olivia Woldemikael, 2023. "Can Redistribution Change Policy Views? Aid and Attitudes toward Refugees in Uganda," Working Papers 645, Center for Global Development.
    • Handle: RePEc:cgd:wpaper:645
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Refugees; Political Economy of Aid; Firms & Productivity; Post-Conflict; Welfare;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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