Regime type, inequality, and redistributive transfers in developing countries

Arbeitspapier

The debate on whether democracy and inequality increase the level of redistribution is ongoing. We construct a model that predicts higher probability of redistribution in democracies than autocracies through social transfers. Higher inequality leads to more redistribution in democracies but not necessarily in autocracies. Using the new data on Non-Contributory Social Transfer Programmes for 1990-2015, we find democracies are more likely to have a transfer programme. This is consistent with previous conclusions that democracy enhances redistribution measured by tax revenues and government expenditures. We also present less robust evidence that countries with a transfer programme experience higher inequality.

Object Details

• ISBN: 978-92-9256-254-0
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: WIDER Working Paper ; No. 2017/30

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior ; National Government Expenditures and Welfare Programs ; State and Local Government: Health; Education; Welfare; Public Pensions
• Subject: regime type ; redistribution ; inequality ; social transfers ; median voter theorem

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Dodlova, Marina ; Giolbas, Anna
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): The United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER)
• (where): Helsinki
• (when): 2017

Further information

• DOI: doi:10.35188/UNU-WIDER/2017/254-0
• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/161594
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:44 AM CET