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Public administrators as politicians in office

Author

Listed:
  • Zohal Hessami

    (Ruhr University Bochum, CESifo Munich, IZA Bonn)

  • Timo Häcker

    (LSE, civity Management Consultants)

  • Maximilian Thomas

    (Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Social Science, Chair for Social Policy and Public Economics)

Abstract

We analyze whether mayors’ prior occupation in the local public administration matters for their performance. In theory, mayors’ professional background may shape their competence in bureaucratic tasks. We use the example of grant receipts for visible investment projects for which mayors must submit an extensive application to the state government. Our dataset includes 1,933 mayor elections (1993-2020) in the German state of Hesse to which we apply a sharp RD design for close mixed-background races. Mayors’ background on average has no effect on grant receipts. Yet, public administrator mayors do attract more grants than outsider mayors when they are ideologically aligned with the council, raising the motivation to apply for grants in the first place. We conclude that the competence of public administrator mayors only matters when they are motivated to use it, i.e. this is an example where incentives are necessary for the effects of political selection to materialize.

Suggested Citation

  • Zohal Hessami & Timo Häcker & Maximilian Thomas, 2025. "Public administrators as politicians in office," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 32(6), pages 1960-1987, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:itaxpf:v:32:y:2025:i:6:d:10.1007_s10797-025-09882-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10797-025-09882-z
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D73 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption
    • D78 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Positive Analysis of Policy Formulation and Implementation
    • H71 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
    • H77 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Intergovernmental Relations; Federalism
    • H83 - Public Economics - - Miscellaneous Issues - - - Public Administration

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