The Cost of Political Competition: Electoral Handouts in Mumbai Elections Articles uri icon

publication date

  • April 2018

issue

  • 2

volume

  • 58

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0004-4687

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1533-838X

abstract

  • Why do candidates give voters handouts during political campaigns? Drawing on qualitative data from Mumbai, this article argues that competitive elections prompt candidates to distribute handouts for strategic reasons. While they know handouts to be inefficient, candidates face a prisoner"s dilemma. Fearing that their opponents will distribute handouts, they distribute them themselves to counter, or neutralize, their opponents" strategies.

subjects

  • Politics

keywords

  • india; clientelism; handouts; elections; political competition