Gridlock: Ethnic Diversity in Government and the Provision of Public Goods

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Beach, Brian; Jones, Daniel B.
• 署名单位: William & Mary; University of South Carolina System; University of South Carolina Columbia
• 刊物名称: AMERICAN ECONOMIC JOURNAL-ECONOMIC POLICY
• ISSN/ISSBN: 1945-7731
• DOI: 10.1257/pol.20150394
• 发表日期: 2017
• 页码: 112-136
• 关键词: regression-discontinuity design; political competition; parties matter; us house; cities; segregation; districts; divisions; ELECTIONS; DEMOCRACY

摘要

How does ethnic diversity in government impact public good provision? We construct a novel dataset linking the ethnicity of California city council candidates to election outcomes and expenditure decisions. Using a regression discontinuity approach, we find that increased diversity on the council leads to less spending on public goods. This is especially true in cities with high segregation and economic inequality. Those serving on councils that experience an increase in diversity also receive fewer votes when they run for reelection. These results point towards disagreement within the council generating lower spending.