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Targeting the centre and (least) poor: Evidence from urban Lahore, Pakistan

Author

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  • Hadia Majid

    (Lahore University of Management Sciences, Pakistan)

  • Mahvish Shami

    (London School of Economics and Political Science, UK)

Abstract

Using the case of Pakistan, this article explores the distribution and politics of public goods provision in urban slums. Across slums, we find that public goods are mainly provided to households located in central slums rather than those in the urban periphery. Within slums, we find politicians target spending towards wealthy households but do not go through brokers, unlike the more-studied case of India. Overall, the article shows how electoral incentives in Pakistan are biased against programmatic public goods provision for the urban poor. Our results then point to variation in patronage politics among slums in the Global South.

Suggested Citation

  • Hadia Majid & Mahvish Shami, 2024. "Targeting the centre and (least) poor: Evidence from urban Lahore, Pakistan," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 61(13), pages 2644-2662, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:61:y:2024:i:13:p:2644-2662
    DOI: 10.1177/00420980241245339
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    References listed on IDEAS

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