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The Political Class and Redistributive Policies

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  • Alejandro Corvalan
  • Pablo Querubín
  • Sergio Vicente

Abstract

We study the relationship between the composition of the political class and the size of government. First, we use a citizen-candidate model to show that the extension of suffrage is inconsequential for government spending when stricter eligibility requirements are in place. The removal of eligibility requirements, on the other hand, leads to the election of less wealthy politicians and the enactment of more redistributive policies. We test these predictions empirically using data from the 13 U.S. original states. We find no robust correlation between the extension of the franchise and government spending or the composition of the political class. However, the subsequent elimination of eligibility restrictions is associated with an increase in government spending and the election of state senators with a less elite background.

Suggested Citation

  • Alejandro Corvalan & Pablo Querubín & Sergio Vicente, 2020. "The Political Class and Redistributive Policies," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 18(1), pages 1-48.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:jeurec:v:18:y:2020:i:1:p:1-48.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/jeea/jvy040
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    Cited by:

    1. Baron, Justus & Ganglmair, Bernhard & Persico, Nicola & Simcoe, Timothy & Tarantino, Emanuele, 2024. "Representation is not sufficient for selecting gender diversity," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(6).
    2. Jean Lacroix, 2023. "Ballots Instead of Bullets? The Effect of the Voting Rights Act on Political Violence," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 21(2), pages 764-813.
    3. Giri Parameswaran & Hunter Rendleman, 2022. "Redistribution under general decision rules," Journal of Public Economic Theory, Association for Public Economic Theory, vol. 24(1), pages 159-196, February.
    4. Kainuma, Shuhei, 2024. "Transition to broader-based politics: The role of suffrage extension in early 20th century Japan," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).

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