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Elections that Inspire: Effects of Black Mayors on Educational Attainment

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  • Jorge Ikawa
  • Clarice Martins
  • Pedro C. Sant’Anna
  • Rogerio Santarrosa

Abstract

We study the impact of Black mayor’s election in Brazil on Black students’ educational attainment. Using a regression discontinuity design on close elections, we find that Black students from municipalities where Black candidates won are more likely to enroll in the National High School Examination, attend universities, and graduate. We find suggestive evidence that students’ aspirations play a role: secondary/tertiary education is not mayor’s primary responsibility; Black mayors do not perform better in policies that affect our outcomes; and effects are strong for Black students from both public and private schools, while weaker for White students from public schools.

Suggested Citation

  • Jorge Ikawa & Clarice Martins & Pedro C. Sant’Anna & Rogerio Santarrosa, 2024. "Elections that Inspire: Effects of Black Mayors on Educational Attainment," Business and Economics Working Papers 243, Unidade de Negocios e Economia, Insper.
    • Handle: RePEc:aap:wpaper:243
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    File URL: https://repositorio.insper.edu.br/handle/11224/7252
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Diogo Baerlocher & Rodrigo Schneider, 2025. "Racial Self-Classification, Group Consciousness, and Public Employment Representation," Working Papers 2025-04, University of South Florida, Department of Economics.

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