Thad Dunning Knihy

Brokers, Voters, and Clientelism addresses major questions in distributive politics. Why is it acceptable for parties to try to win elections by promising to make certain groups of people better off, but unacceptable - and illegal - to pay people for their votes? Why do parties often lavish benefits on loyal voters, whose support they can count on anyway, rather than on responsive swing voters? Why is vote buying and machine politics common in today's developing democracies but a thing of the past in most of today's advanced democracies? This book develops a theory of broker-mediated distribution to answer these questions, testing the theory with research from four developing democracies, and reviews a rich secondary literature on countries in all world regions. The authors deploy normative theory to evaluate whether clientelism, pork-barrel politics, and other non-programmatic distributive strategies can be justified on the grounds that they promote efficiency, redistribution, or voter participation.

Focusing on natural experiments, this comprehensive guide serves as an essential resource for scholars and students in the social sciences. It covers key issues in causal inference and highlights the significance of robust research design over intricate statistical methods. By emphasizing practical evaluation and application, the book aims to enhance understanding and execution of this increasingly popular methodology.

Challenging the common belief that wealth from natural resources leads to autocracy, this book presents a compelling argument that explores the complex relationship between resource abundance and political systems. It delves into case studies and historical contexts to reveal how resource wealth can also foster democratic governance and social progress, providing fresh insights into the dynamics of political power and economic development.

Challenging the belief that natural resource wealth leads to autocracy, this book presents a nuanced exploration of the relationship between resource abundance and governance. It offers compelling arguments and case studies that reveal how resource wealth can also foster democratic practices and accountability. By examining various political contexts, the author uncovers the complexities of how resources can influence power dynamics, ultimately reshaping our understanding of democracy and authoritarianism in resource-rich nations.