Electoral Rules and Politicians' Behavior: A Micro Test

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Gagliarducci, Stefano; Nannicini, Tommaso; Naticchioni, Paolo
• 署名单位: University of Rome Tor Vergata; Bocconi University; University of Cassino
• 刊物名称: AMERICAN ECONOMIC JOURNAL-ECONOMIC POLICY
• ISSN/ISSBN: 1945-7731
• DOI: 10.1257/pol.3.3.144
• 发表日期: 2011
• 页码: 144-174
• 关键词: systems; GOVERNMENT; PARTIES

摘要

Theory predicts that the majoritarian electoral system should produce more targeted redistribution and lower rents than proportional representation. We test these predictions using data on the Italian House of Representatives, and address the nonrandom selection into different systems exploiting one feature of the two-tier elections between 1994-2001: candidates could run for both the majoritarian and proportional tier, but if they won in both they had to accept the majoritarian seat. Focusing on elections decided by a narrow margin, we find that majoritarian representatives put forward more bills targeted at their constituency and show lower absenteeism rates than their proportional colleagues. (JEL D72)