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The Effect of Retirement On Political Shirking: Evidence From Congressional Voting

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  • David N. Figlio

    (University of WisconsinMadison)

Abstract

The theory of rational utility-maximizing agents suggests that politicians should alter their voting patterns when the reelection constraint is removed. However, the previous empirical work on this issue has not shown such a relationship. This article tests the hypothesis that the decision to retire results in systematic changes in political voting behavior (or "political shirking "). The author uses a multiyearpanel data set with more observations than many prior studies, a more precise measure of political shirking, and a different measure of retirement than previous work Least squares estimation yields significant coefficient estimates and substantial evidence that the retirement decision results in political shirking.

Suggested Citation

  • David N. Figlio, 1995. "The Effect of Retirement On Political Shirking: Evidence From Congressional Voting," Public Finance Review, , vol. 23(2), pages 226-241, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:pubfin:v:23:y:1995:i:2:p:226-241
    DOI: 10.1177/109114219502300206
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dick, Andrew R. & Lott, John Jr., 1993. "Reconciling voters' behavior with legislative term limits," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 50(1), pages 1-14, January.
    2. Lott, John R, Jr & Bronars, Stephen G, 1993. "Time Series Evidence on Shirking in the U.S. House of Representatives," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 76(1-2), pages 125-149, June.
    3. Lott, John R, Jr & Davis, Michael L, 1992. "A Critical Review and an Extension of the Political Shirking Literature," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 74(4), pages 461-484, December.
    4. Zupan, Mark A, 1990. "The Last Period Problem in Politics: Do Congressional Representatives Not Subject to a Reelection Constraint Alter Their Voting Behavior?," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 65(2), pages 167-180, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Shelton, Cameron A., 2023. "Where does opportunity knock? On doors that voted for the executive," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 225(C).
    2. Chen, Yu-Fu & Zoega, Gylfi, 2015. "A non-perpetual shirking model," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 98-101.
    3. Yasushi Asako, 2015. "Partially Binding Platforms: Campaign Promises vis-à-vis Cost of Betrayal," The Japanese Economic Review, Japanese Economic Association, vol. 66(3), pages 322-353, September.
    4. Glenn Parker & Matthew Dabros, 2012. "Last-period problems in legislatures," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 151(3), pages 789-806, June.
    5. Jason DeBacker, 2012. "Political parties and political shirking," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 150(3), pages 651-670, March.
    6. Schönenberger, Felix, 2024. "Out of Office, Out of Step? Re-election Concners and Ideological Shirking in Lame Duck Sessions of the U.S. House of Representatives," MPRA Paper 120159, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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