The Rise Fund: TPG Bets Big on Impact
Citation:
Gandhi, Vikram S., and Shawn A. Cole. "The Rise Fund: TPG Bets Big on Impact." Harvard Business School Multimedia/Video Supplement 220-711, December 2019. View Details|
Article Journal of Development Economics 2012 Do Voters Demand Responsive Governments? Evidence from Indian Disaster Relief |
Abstract
Using rainfall, public relief, and election data from India, we examine how governments respond to adverse shocks and how voters react to these responses. The data show that voters punish the incumbent party for weather events beyond its control. However, fewer voters punish the ruling party when its government responds vigorously to the crisis, indicating that voters reward the government for responding to disasters. We also find evidence suggesting that voters only respond to rainfall and government relief efforts during the year immediately preceding the election. In accordance with these electoral incentives, governments appear to be more generous with disaster relief in election years. These results describe how failures in electoral accountability can lead to suboptimal policy outcomes.
Keywords: Political Elections; System Shocks; Natural Disasters; Policy; Motivation and Incentives; Public Opinion; India;
Citation:
Cole, Shawn, Andrew Healy, and Eric Werker. "Do Voters Demand Responsive Governments? Evidence from Indian Disaster Relief." Journal of Development Economics 97, no. 2 (March 2012): 167–181.
