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Media, Monitoring, and Capture of Public Funds: Evidence from Madagascar

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  • Francken, Nathalie
  • Minten, Bart
  • Swinnen, Johan F.M.

Abstract

Summary This paper investigates the role of media and monitoring in reducing capture. We analyze data on capture of public expenditures by local officials in Madagascar. Our findings indicate important constraints on decentralization of public service delivery, in particular in remote areas. Capture could be successfully constrained through a combination of media programs and monitoring. Intensive monitoring and access to media reduce capture. However, the impact of media is conditional on characteristics of the population. With high illiteracy in poor regions, the effectiveness of newspaper and poster campaigns is limited, and radio and television programs are more important to reduce capture.

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  • Francken, Nathalie & Minten, Bart & Swinnen, Johan F.M., 2009. "Media, Monitoring, and Capture of Public Funds: Evidence from Madagascar," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 37(1), pages 242-255, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:37:y:2009:i:1:p:242-255
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    3. Patrick O Waeber & Lucienne Wilmé & Jean-Roger Mercier & Christian Camara & Porter P Lowry II, 2016. "How Effective Have Thirty Years of Internationally Driven Conservation and Development Efforts Been in Madagascar?," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(8), pages 1-13, August.
    4. Baird, Sarah & McIntosh, Craig & Özler, Berk, 2013. "The regressive demands of demand-driven development," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 27-41.
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    6. Ramalho,Rita & Saltane,Valentina, 2019. "Does Media Stimulate Reform Efforts ?," Policy Research Working Paper Series 8984, The World Bank.
    7. Nathalie Francken, 2009. "Reducing Corruption in Public Education Programs in Africa:Instruments and Capture in Madagascar," LICOS Discussion Papers 24009, LICOS - Centre for Institutions and Economic Performance, KU Leuven.
    8. Suryadarma, Daniel & Yamauchi, Chikako, 2013. "Missing public funds and targeting performance: Evidence from an anti-poverty transfer program in Indonesia," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 62-76.
    9. Boly, Amadou & Gillanders, Robert, 2018. "Anti-corruption policy making, discretionary power and institutional quality: An experimental analysis," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 314-327.
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