Can party elites shape the rank-and-file? Evidence from a recruitment campaign in India

Gulzar, Saad, Pathak, Durgesh, Thompson, Sarah and Toth, Aliz (2024) Can party elites shape the rank-and-file? Evidence from a recruitment campaign in India. American Political Science Review. ISSN 1537-5943 (In Press)

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Abstract

Recruiting a large number of ground workers is crucial for running effective modern election campaigns. It is unclear if party leaders can influence the quality and quantity of the unpaid rank-and-file workforce as they can with prized nominations for candidates. We analyze a field experiment conducted by an Indian party that randomized recruitment messages reaching 1% of a 13-million-person electorate to join its rank-and-file. Contrary to concerns that parties can only attract a few poor-quality volunteers, we show that elite efforts can shape the rank-and-file. In fact, specific strategies can increase the size, enhance the gender and ethnic diversity, and broaden the education and political skills of recruits. Strategies that signal gender inclusiveness have a lasting impact on some dimensions up to three years later. Taken together, this paper provides the first causal evidence that rank-and-file recruitment is an opportunity for elites to influence long-term party development.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© 2024 Cambridge University Press
Divisions:	Government
Subjects:	J Political Science
Date Deposited:	03 Jun 2024 11:06
Last Modified:	03 Jun 2024 11:09
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/123723

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