Authors
Gustavo J Bobonis, Paul J Gertler, Marco Gonzalez-Navarro, Simeon Nichter
Publication date
2023/5
Journal
NBER Working Paper 31266
Description
Does combating corruption reduce clientelism? We examine the impact of a prominent anticorruption program on clientelism using a novel representative survey of rural Brazilians. Randomized audits reduce politicians’ provision of campaign handouts, decrease citizens’ demands for private goods, and reduce requests fulfilled by politicians. With regards to mechanisms, audits undermine clientelist relationships by reducing citizens’ interactions with politicians and their knowledge of incumbents. Furthermore, audits significantly deteriorate citizens’ perceptions of politician reciprocity in a hypothetical trust game. Results also offer novel insights into audits’ dynamic effects: they have more pronounced effects in the short run, especially during electoral periods.
Total citations
20202021202220232431