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How do voters respond to information on self-serving elite behaviour?: Evidence from a randomized survey experiment in Tanzania

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  • Ivar Kolstad
  • Arne Wiig

Abstract

Does self-serving elite behaviour make citizens more politically active? This paper presents the results of a randomized field experiment where voters in Tanzania were given information about elite use of tax havens. Information provided in a neutral form had no effect on voting intentions. Information phrased in more morally charged terms led to a reduction in voting intentions. Additional evidence suggests that rather than increase the perceived importance of voting, charged information tends to undermine confidence in political institutions and the social contract.

Suggested Citation

  • Ivar Kolstad & Arne Wiig, 2018. "How do voters respond to information on self-serving elite behaviour?: Evidence from a randomized survey experiment in Tanzania," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2018-11, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2018-11
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