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Power, Scrutiny, and Congressmen's Favoritism for Friends' Firm

Author

Listed:
  • Do, Quoc-Anh
  • Lee, Yen-Teik
  • Nguyen, Bang Dang
  • Nguyen, Kieu-Trang

Abstract

Does more political power always lead to more favoritism? The usual affirmative answer overlooks scrutiny's role in shaping the pattern of favoritism over the ladder of power. When attaining higher-powered positions under even stricter scrutiny, politicians may reduce quid-pro-quo favors towards connected firms to preserve their career prospect. Around close Congress elections, we find RDD-based evidence of this adverse effect that a politician's win reduces his former classmates' firms stock value by 2.8%. As predicted, this effect varies by cross-state scrutiny, politicians' power, firms' size and governance, and connection strength. It diminishes as a politician's career concern fades over time.

Suggested Citation

  • Do, Quoc-Anh & Lee, Yen-Teik & Nguyen, Bang Dang & Nguyen, Kieu-Trang, 2020. "Power, Scrutiny, and Congressmen's Favoritism for Friends' Firm," CEPR Discussion Papers 15141, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:15141
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kelly Shue, 2013. "Executive Networks and Firm Policies: Evidence from the Random Assignment of MBA Peers," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 26(6), pages 1401-1442.
    2. Acemoglu, Daron & Johnson, Simon & Kermani, Amir & Kwak, James & Mitton, Todd, 2016. "The value of connections in turbulent times: Evidence from the United States," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 121(2), pages 368-391.
    3. Pat Akey, 2015. "Valuing Changes in Political Networks: Evidence from Campaign Contributions to Close Congressional Elections," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 28(11), pages 3188-3223.
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    Cited by:

    1. Wagner, Wolf & Lambert, Thomas & Zhang, Eden Quxian, 2020. "Banks, Political Capital, and Growth," CEPR Discussion Papers 15612, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Favoritism; Power; Scrutiny; Political connection; Congressmen; Close election; Rdd;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • D73 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption
    • D85 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Network Formation
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill

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