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The effects of voting costs on the democratic process and public finances

Hodler, Roland and Luechinger, Simon and Stutzer, Alois. (2012) The effects of voting costs on the democratic process and public finances. WWZ Discussion Papers, 2012 (02). Basel.

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Official URL: http://edoc.unibas.ch/dok/A6043844

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Abstract

Increasing the attractiveness of voting is often seen as a remedy for unequal participation and the influence of special-interest groups on public policy. However, lower voting costs may also bring less informed citizens to the poll inviting efforts to sway these voters. We substantiate this argument in a probabilistic voting model with campaign contributions. In an empirical analysis for the 26 Swiss states, we find that lower voting costs due to postal voting are related to higher turnout, lower average education of participants, lower knowledge on the political issues they were deciding on as well as lower government welfare expenditures.
Faculties and Departments:06 Faculty of Business and Economics > Departement Wirtschaftswissenschaften > Professuren Wirtschaftswissenschaften > Politische Ökonomie (Stutzer)
12 Special Collections > WWZ Publications > WWZ Discussion Papers and Working Papers
UniBasel Contributors:Stutzer, Alois
Item Type:Working Paper
Publisher:WWZ
Note: -- Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Discussion paper / Internet publication
Language:English
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  • handle: RePEc:bsl:wpaper:2012/02
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Last Modified:13 Mar 2018 14:11
Deposited On:16 Aug 2013 07:31

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