The political economy of government responsiveness: theory and evidence from India

Besley, Timothy and Burgess, Robin (2000) The political economy of government responsiveness: theory and evidence from India. Development Economics discussion paper; DEDPS 28 (DEDPS 28). Suntory and Toyota International Centres for Economics and Related Disciplines, London, UK.

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Abstract

The determinants of government responsiveness to its citizens is a key issue in political economy. Here we develop a model based on the solution of political agency problems. Having a more informed an politically active electorate strengthens incentives for governments to be responsive. This suggests that there is a role both for democratic institutions and the mass media in ensuring that the preferences of citizens are reflected in policy. The ideas behind the model are tested on panel data from India. We show that public food distribution and calamity relief expenditure are greater, controlling for shocks, where governments face greater electoral accountability and where newspaper circulation is highest.

Item Type:	Monograph (Discussion Paper)
Official URL:	http://sticerd.lse.ac.uk/
Additional Information:	© 2000 the authors
Divisions:	Economics STICERD
Subjects:	J Political Science > JC Political theory H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory
JEL classification:	D - Microeconomics > D7 - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making > D72 - Economic Models of Political Processes: Rent-Seeking, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior O - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth > O1 - Economic Development > O12 - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I3 - Welfare and Poverty > I38 - Government Policy; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs P - Economic Systems > P2 - Socialist Systems and Transitional Economies > P26 - Political Economy; Property Rights H - Public Economics > H4 - Publicly Provided Goods > H41 - Public Goods H - Public Economics > H1 - Structure and Scope of Government > H11 - Structure, Scope, and Performance of Government
Date Deposited:	27 Apr 2007
Last Modified:	15 Sep 2023 22:48
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/2308

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