Tangible Information and Citizen Empowerment: Identification Cards and Food Subsidy Programs in Indonesia

S-Tier
Journal: Journal of Political Economy
Year: 2018
Volume: 126
Issue: 2
Pages: 451 - 491

Score contribution per author:

1.609 = (α=2.01 / 5 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Redistribution programs in developing countries often "leak" because local officials do not implement programs as the central government intends. We study one approach to reducing leakage. In an experiment in over 550 villages, we test whether mailing cards with program information to targeted beneficiaries increases the subsidy they receive from a subsidized rice program. On net, beneficiaries received 26 percent more subsidy in card villages. Ineligible households received no less, so this represents substantially lower leakage.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jpolec:doi:10.1086/696226
Journal Field
General
Author Count
5
Added to Database
2026-01-24