Political expenditure cycles and election outcomes evidence from disaggregation of public expenditures by economic functions

Arbeitspapier

Through disaggregating public expenditures by economic functions this paper offers a new perspective on the existence and effectiveness of electorally motivated expenditure policy. The aim of the paper is to provide more detailed information on the specific expenditure categories by which politicians try to affect election results. Based on COFOG data for 32 OECD and Eastern European countries over the years 1990-2010, it is shown that political expenditure cycles in total expenditures as well as in specific expenditure categories mainly exist in newly democratized Eastern European countries. However, the paper also provides evidence that these electorally motivated spending policies are ineffective means to enhance the reelection probability.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Working Paper Series in Economics ; No. 275

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Structure, Scope, and Performance of Government ; Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents: General ; National Government Expenditures and Related Policies: General
• Subject: political expenditure cycle ; political economy ; re-election probability ; COFOG

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Enkelmann, Sören ; Leibrecht, Markus
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, Institut für Volkswirtschaftslehre
• (where): Lüneburg
• (when): 2013

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/73179
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:43 AM CET