Cash and Ballots: Conditional Transfers, Political Participation, and Voting Behavior

B-Tier
Journal: Economic Development & Cultural Change
Year: 2020
Volume: 68
Issue: 2
Pages: 541 - 566

Authors (4)

Emily Conover (not in RePEc) Román A. Zárate (not in RePEc) Adriana Camacho (Corporación Andina de Fomento ...) Javier E. Baez (World Bank Group)

Score contribution per author:

0.503 = (α=2.01 / 4 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

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

Abstract

We estimate the effect of participation in a large antipoverty program in Colombia on turnout and electoral choice. Using variation in the proportion of beneficiaries across voting booths within a polling station and eligibility as an instrument for take-up, we find that in the 2010 presidential elections, enrolled women were more likely to vote and support the incumbent party candidate. Results for men are smaller and not always significant. Voters respond to targeted transfers, and women, as the direct recipients of the transfers, respond more strongly. Potential mechanisms explaining the results are civic engagement and gratitude toward the incumbent party.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:ecdecc:doi:10.1086/701211
Journal Field
Development
Author Count
4
Added to Database
2026-01-24