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Religion, Politician Identity and Development Outcomes: Evidence from India

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  • Sonia Bhalotra
  • Irma Clots-Figueras
  • Guilhem Cassan
  • Lackshmi Iyer

Abstract

This paper investigates whether the religious identity of state legislators in India influences development outcomes, both for citizens of their religious group and for the population as a whole. To allow politician identity to be correlated with constituency level voter preferences or events that make religion salient, we use quasi-random variation in legislator identity generated by close elections between Muslim and non-Muslim candidates. We find no evidence of religious favoritism: Muslim children do not benefit more from Muslim political representation than children from other religious groups. However increasing the political representation of Muslims improves health and education outcomes in the district from which the legislator is elected.

Suggested Citation

  • Sonia Bhalotra & Irma Clots-Figueras & Guilhem Cassan & Lackshmi Iyer, 2013. "Religion, Politician Identity and Development Outcomes: Evidence from India," The Centre for Market and Public Organisation 13/309, The Centre for Market and Public Organisation, University of Bristol, UK.
    • Handle: RePEc:bri:cmpowp:13/309
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    religion; politician identity; infant mortality; primary education; India; Muslim;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • H41 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Public Goods
    • P16 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Capitalist Institutions; Welfare State

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