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Can Crises Affect Citizen Activism? Evidence from a Pandemic

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  • Afridi, Farzana

    (Indian Statistical Institute)

  • Basistha, Ahana

    (Indian Statistical Institute)

  • Dhillon, Amrita

    (King's College London)

  • Serra, Danila

    (Texas A&M University)

Abstract

We consider the largely unexpected shock caused by the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India to assess whether major crises that impact the well-being of a large number of individuals can be catalysts for civic activism. Exploiting state-level variation in COVID-19 peaks and quasi-randomness in subjects' participation in an online survey fielded between March and July 2021, we elicit willingness to act against fraud and corruption in the provision of health services by supporting an NGO engaged in advocacy for health-sector regulation. By comparing responses of subjects surveyed before and after the COVID-19 peak in their state of residence, we find evidence of a large and significant increase in anti-corruption activism post peak. Our data suggest that this surge in activism can be attributed to heightened perceptions of corruption in the healthcare sector, increased awareness of individuals' own rights and entitlements, a greater willingness to take risks, and a positive shift in beliefs regarding others' willingness to fight corruption in the provision of healthcare services.

Suggested Citation

  • Afridi, Farzana & Basistha, Ahana & Dhillon, Amrita & Serra, Danila, 2024. "Can Crises Affect Citizen Activism? Evidence from a Pandemic," IZA Discussion Papers 16891, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16891
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    crisis; corruption; health sector; India; COVID-19;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D73 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development

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