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Inattention or (Mis)Information? Explaining the Demand for Populist Anti-inflationary Policies

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  • Keefer, Philip
  • Ronconi, Lucas

Abstract

Why are inefficient policies popular? One explanation is incomplete voter information. Evidence from survey experiments in Argentina points instead to inattention. The experiments explore voter evaluations of two anti-inflation policies, price controls and limits on monetary emission. Inattentive individuals should favor policies with simple, easily validated narratives, such as price controls; survey respondents considered price controls to be at least as effective in controlling inflation as limits to monetary emission. Two experimental treatments encouraged respondents to consider more complex policy narratives. Both increased respondent evaluations of the effectiveness of monetary policy relative to price controls. Inattention better accounts for these results: effects were independent of respondent knowledge and beliefs; larger for the evaluation of the more complex policy; and strongest for respondents who were more attentive to the survey. Treatment effects are also independent of the strength of partisan identity and ideological beliefs, indicating that these are low-cost cues for inattentive voters rather than signals of immutable beliefs regarding appropriate policies. The results underscore the role of attention in the spread of political narratives and their influence on voter behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Keefer, Philip & Ronconi, Lucas, 2026. "Inattention or (Mis)Information? Explaining the Demand for Populist Anti-inflationary Policies," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 14480, Inter-American Development Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:idb:brikps:14480
    DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18235/0013916
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    JEL classification:

    • C90 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - General
    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • D80 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - General
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • E71 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on the Macro Economy
    • P30 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist Institutions and Their Transitions - - - General
    • P50 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Comparative Economic Systems - - - General

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