Electoral Handouts in Mumbai Elections: The Cost of Political Competition

Electoral Handouts in Mumbai Elections: The Cost of Political Competition

Why do candidates give voters handouts during political campaigns? Drawing on qualitative data from Mumbai, this article argues that competitive elections prompt candidates to distribute handouts for strategic reasons. While they know handouts to be inefficient, candidates face a prisoner's dil...

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Veröffentlicht in:Asian survey 2018-03, Vol.58 (2), p.341-364
1. Verfasser: CHAUCHARD, SIMON
Format: Artikel
Sprache:eng
Schlagworte:
Campaign expenditures
Candidates
Competition
Decentralization
Elections
Electoral reform
Game theory
Legitimacy
Political campaigns
Representation
Voters
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Zusammenfassung:Why do candidates give voters handouts during political campaigns? Drawing on qualitative data from Mumbai, this article argues that competitive elections prompt candidates to distribute handouts for strategic reasons. While they know handouts to be inefficient, candidates face a prisoner's dilemma. Fearing that their opponents will distribute handouts, they distribute them themselves to counter, or neutralize, their opponents' strategies.
ISSN:0004-4687
1533-838X
DOI:10.1525/AS.2018.58.2.341