Pro-sociality of local democratic leaders: The impact and dynamics of being elected
Landmann A, Vollan B (2024)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2024
Journal
Book Volume: 164
Article Number: 104715
DOI: 10.1016/j.euroecorev.2024.104715
Abstract
Democratic regimes need leaders with high intrinsic motivation to serve their constituents. In this paper, we investigate the levels of leaders’ pro-social motivation, how such levels differ from those of villagers, whether they are affected when the leaders are elected, and the persistence over several years. A regression discontinuity design based on close elections combined with a panel of incentivized lab-in-the-field measures of solidarity reveals that being elected and holding office as a local leader results in making more pro-social choices two and six years after the election. An additional experiment measuring normative expectations towards leaders suggests that leaders' higher pro-sociality may come from internalizing these expectations. We also discuss the role of income, collective action and network ties and how the increase in pro-sociality relates to local level corruption.
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Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Landmann, A., & Vollan, B. (2024). Pro-sociality of local democratic leaders: The impact and dynamics of being elected. European Economic Review, 164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroecorev.2024.104715
MLA:
Landmann, Andreas, and Björn Vollan. "Pro-sociality of local democratic leaders: The impact and dynamics of being elected." European Economic Review 164 (2024).
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