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Farmers as Voters: Land Redistribution and Regime Consolidation in Zimbabwe

Author

Listed:
  • Davies, Rob
  • Mehlum, Halvor
  • Moene, Kalle
  • Torvik, Ragnar

Abstract

The relationship between land reform and electoral support for the government is crucial for countries considering any form of asset redistribution. We develop a unique data set for Zimbabwe, in which we combine data for 19,374 farm redistributed properties and other estates, with election results from 1,960 wards in the presidential election in 2018. The farm data are collected in the midst of the land reform in Zimbabwe, and make it possible to analyze how a massive and national land reform goes hand in hand with the support for the long-term ruling party in Zimbabwe, ZANU-PF. The results show that for every percent of a rural ward's land area that was subject to land redistribution, the support for ZANU-PF increases by a quarter of a percentage point. The results are compatible both with a mechanism of gratitude from the beneficiaries and with a precautionary strategy where beneficiaries want to block regime change and potential reversal of the redistribution.

Suggested Citation

  • Davies, Rob & Mehlum, Halvor & Moene, Kalle & Torvik, Ragnar, 2026. "Farmers as Voters: Land Redistribution and Regime Consolidation in Zimbabwe," CEPR Discussion Papers 21396, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:21396
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • P48 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - Legal Institutions; Property Rights; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Regional Studies
    • Q15 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Land Ownership and Tenure; Land Reform; Land Use; Irrigation; Agriculture and Environment

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