Economics
Clientelism and the Provision of Public Goods in Developing Democracies
Quick fact
In clientelist democracies, public goods like sanitation and education are often underprovided because politicians find it more electorally rewarding to distribute private benefits—such as cash, food, or jobs—to a select group of voters who can be monitored and held accountable for their vote.
Why this is interesting
Have you ever wondered why some democracies with free elections still have terrible roads, schools, and health clinics? Why do politicians seem to hand out bags of rice rather than fix the school roof?