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Votes for Work? Job Patronage and Electoral Mobilization in Albania

Author

Listed:
  • Luca J. Uberti
  • Drini Imami
  • Mariapia Mendola

Abstract

We examine the impact of an election campaign on the labor market outcomes of incumbent party supporters. Using unique data on voters' political preferences during a critical pre-election period in Albania, our difference-in-differences estimates show that supporting the ruling party prior to elections significantly improves individuals' employment and earnings. This labor market premium is particularly pronounced among individuals with low costs of campaign participation, whereas patronage jobs are concentrated in lower-tier public sector positions. Administrative data further show that job distribution to party supporters strongly correlates with increased vote shares for the incumbent. Our findings suggest that parties strategically allocate public employment to mobilize grassroots supporters and secure votes—a practice that fosters corruption and weakens democratic institutions.

Suggested Citation

  • Luca J. Uberti & Drini Imami & Mariapia Mendola, 2025. "Votes for Work? Job Patronage and Electoral Mobilization in Albania," Working Papers 561, University of Milano-Bicocca, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:mib:wpaper:561
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. James A. Robinson & Thierry Verdier, 2013. "The Political Economy of Clientelism," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 115(2), pages 260-291, April.
    2. Ricardo Estrada, 2019. "Rules versus Discretion in Public Service: Teacher Hiring in Mexico," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 37(2), pages 545-579.
    3. Emanuele Colonnelli & Mounu Prem & Edoardo Teso, 2020. "Patronage and Selection in Public Sector Organizations," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 110(10), pages 3071-3099, October.
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    5. Jonathan Roth & Pedro H. C. Sant'Anna, 2023. "When Is Parallel Trends Sensitive to Functional Form?," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 91(2), pages 737-747, March.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • D73 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption
    • H83 - Public Economics - - Miscellaneous Issues - - - Public Administration
    • J45 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Public Sector Labor Markets
    • M59 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Other

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