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Effect of Political Quotas on Attributes of Political Candidates and Provision of Public Goods

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  • Chitra Jogani

    (Trinity College)

Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the effect of an affirmative action policy on the quality of candidates using political quotas in India. Using the latest data and a regression discontinuity design, I find the caste quotas lead to political candidates with different attributes: lower wealth, lower criminal charges, and increased representation of women, but similar education levels. I find no significant difference in the level of public goods in rural India between quota-bound and non-quota-bound areas. The results suggest an increase in political diversity with no negative effects on the provision of basic facilities.

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  • Chitra Jogani, 2022. "Effect of Political Quotas on Attributes of Political Candidates and Provision of Public Goods," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 48(2), pages 267-316, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:easeco:v:48:y:2022:i:2:d:10.1057_s41302-022-00209-y
    DOI: 10.1057/s41302-022-00209-y
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Political quota; Affirmative action; India; Regression discontinuity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J78 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Public Policy (including comparable worth)
    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior

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