Political Economy of Inequality and Redistribution

3 units

While in office, politicians face decisions about how to allocate goods and services. When do office holders use these provisions to boost their electoral prospects? How does this strategy diverge with different electoral rules? Why can electoral incentives affect the provision of certain goods and services but not others? How widespread is this behavior? Does it confer electoral advantages to the party in office? These are some of the questions that we will address in this course, as we will discuss the political and institutional factors that influence goods and services provision.