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The Political Economy of Early COVID-19 Interventions in US States

Author

Listed:
  • Martin Gonzalez-Eiras

    (University of Bologna)

  • Dirk Niepelt

    (Study Center Gerzensee, University of Bern, CEPR)

Abstract

We investigate how politico-economic factors shaped government responses to the spread of COVID-19. Our simple framework uses epidemiological, economic and politico-economic arguments. Confronting the theory with US state level data we find strong evidence for partisanship even when we control for fundamentals including the electorate's political views. Moreover, we detect an important role for the proximity of elections which we interpret as indicative of career concerns. Finally, we find suggestive evidence for complementarities between voluntary activity reductions and government imposed restrictions.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Gonzalez-Eiras & Dirk Niepelt, 2022. "The Political Economy of Early COVID-19 Interventions in US States," Working Papers 22.01, Swiss National Bank, Study Center Gerzensee.
    • Handle: RePEc:szg:worpap:2201
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    Cited by:

    1. is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Arija Prieto, Pablo & Antonini, Marcello & Ammi, Mehdi & Genie, Mesfin & Paolucci, Francesco, 2024. "Political determinants of COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine rollouts: the case of regional elections in Italy and Spain," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 123715, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Ren, He & Zheng, Yi, 2023. "COVID-19 vaccination and household savings: An economic recovery channel," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).
    4. Mart n Gonzales-Eiras, Dirk Niepelt, 2023. "Optimal Epidemic Control," Diskussionsschriften dp2311, Universitaet Bern, Departement Volkswirtschaft.
    5. Arija Prieto, Pablo & Antonini, Marcello & Ammi, Mehdi & Genie, Mesfin & Paolucci, Francesco, 2024. "Political determinants of COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine rollouts: The case of regional elections in Italy and Spain," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    6. Daryna Grechyna, 2024. "Elections and policies: Evidence from the Covid pandemic," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 77(3), pages 812-831, August.
    7. Wang, Zongrun & Zhou, Ling & Mi, Yunlong & Shi, Yong, 2022. "Measuring dynamic pandemic-related policy effects: A time-varying parameter multi-level dynamic factor model approach," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    8. Besley, Timothy & Dray, Sacha, 2023. "The political economy of lockdown: Does free media matter?," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    9. Peter Anderson, 2025. "Demonstrated risk preferences and COVID-19 regulations in the United States," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 203(1), pages 53-75, April.
    10. Lee, Sang Yoon(Tim), 2022. "The political economy of early COVID-19 interventions in U.S. states: Comment," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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