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Climate Change and Political Participation: Evidence from India

Author

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  • Amirapu, Amrit

    (University of Kent)

  • Clots-Figueras, Irma

    (University of Kent)

  • Rud, Juan Pablo

    (Royal Holloway, University of London)

Abstract

We study the effects of extreme temperature shocks on political participation using data from Indian elections between 2009 and 2017. Taking advantage of localized, high-frequency data on land surface temperatures, we find that areas with greater cumulative exposure to extreme temperatures experience an increase in voter turnout and a change in the composition of the pool of candidates who stand for election. As a consequence, electoral outcomes are affected. We provide evidence that our results are driven by the negative effect of climate change on agricultural productivity. First, we show that the results are strongest in areas with a larger rural population. Second, we show that there is a non-monotonic relationship between temperatures and turnout which closely mirrors the relationship between temperatures and agricultural productivity. We also find that, following temperature shocks, winning candidates are more likely to have an agricultural background. Finally, we show that politicians with an agricultural background invest more in irrigation, which mitigates the effects of high temperatures, on both agricultural production and on turnout. Our paper provides new evidence about the ways in which political agents in developing countries (including both voters and candidates) may respond to climate change via political channels.

Suggested Citation

  • Amirapu, Amrit & Clots-Figueras, Irma & Rud, Juan Pablo, 2022. "Climate Change and Political Participation: Evidence from India," IZA Discussion Papers 15764, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
  • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp15764
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    climate change; political economy; voter turnout;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • P48 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - Legal Institutions; Property Rights; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Regional Studies
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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