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Incumbency and Distributive Politics: Intergovernmental Transfers in Mexico

Author

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  • Andrew Abbott
  • René Cabral
  • Philip Jones

Abstract

In this article, the objective is to focus on the likelihood that politicians will rely on intergovernmental transfers to pursue political ambition. In what circumstances are incumbents more likely to rely on transfers to win votes, than to reward core supporters? How are constraints (introduced to ensure that politicians rely on predetermined formulae which reduce the incentive to design transfers to win re‐election) likely to influence “distributive politics?” Predictions in this article are tested with reference to intergovernmental transfers to 31 Mexican states between 2004 and 2012.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew Abbott & René Cabral & Philip Jones, 2017. "Incumbency and Distributive Politics: Intergovernmental Transfers in Mexico," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 84(2), pages 484-503, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:soecon:v:84:y:2017:i:2:p:484-503
    DOI: 10.1002/soej.12226
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    1. Ernesto del Castillo & René Cabral & Eduardo Saucedo, 2022. "The Sustainability of Mexican Municipal Public Debt," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-14, May.
    2. Fabio Sabatini & Marco Ventura & Eiji Yamamura & Luca Zamparelli, 2020. "Fairness and the Unselfish Demand for Redistribution by Taxpayers and Welfare Recipients," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 86(3), pages 971-988, January.
    3. Daniel Prudencio, 2023. "Productivity in Procurement Auctions of Pavement Contracts in Mexico," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 60(1), pages 63-85, August.
    4. del Castillo, Ernesto & Cabral, René, 2024. "Subnational public debt sustainability in Mexico: Is the new fiscal rule working?," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).

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