Rent-Seeking and Criminal Politicians: Evidence from Mining Booms

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Asher, Sam; Novosad, Paul
• 署名单位: Johns Hopkins University; Dartmouth College
• 刊物名称: REVIEW OF ECONOMICS AND STATISTICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0034-6535
• DOI: 10.1162/rest_a_01064
• 发表日期: 2023-01
• 页码: 20-39
• 关键词: commodity prices; institutions; VIOLENCE; endowments; governance; origins; income; GROWTH; shocks; crime

摘要

We study how natural resource rents affect the selection and behavior of holders of public office. Using global price shocks to thirty-one minerals and nationwide geological and political data from India, we show that local mineral rent shocks cause the election of politicians charged with serious crimes. We also find a moral hazard effect: politicians commit more crimes and accumulate greater wealth when mineral prices rise during their terms in office. These politicians have direct influence over mining operations but no access to fiscal windfalls from mining; we thus isolate the direct political impacts of mining sector operations.