The Decentralization of Liquor Policies in Texas During the Post-Prohibition Era

• 成果类型: Article; Early Access
• 署名作者: Arnold, Andrew; Sieg, Holger
• 署名单位: University of Pennsylvania; National Bureau of Economic Research
• 刊物名称: INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC REVIEW
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0020-6598
• DOI: 10.1111/iere.70075
• 发表日期: 2026
• 关键词: structural model; political-economy; womens suffrage; identification; INFORMATION; COMPETITION; provision; turnout; RULE

摘要

We examine the decentralization of liquor policies in Texas during the Post-Prohibition era using newly collected historical legislative roll call data. By combining these data with local referendum vote shares, we analyze both legislators' and constituents' preferences on liquor policy. We develop a probabilistic voting model incorporating spillovers and peer effects. Results reveal substantial heterogeneity in preferences among voters, reflecting differing attitudes toward alcohol regulation. Spillover effects are significant, yet the model predicts notable gains from decentralization. Finally, we link legislators' policy preferences to alcohol consumption data and compare model-based welfare estimates with traditional consumption-based measures.