Economics
The Political Economy of Clientelism and Vote Buying
Quick fact
In some countries, political parties spend millions on buying votes, but the real cost per vote is often just a few dollars—and the practice can be surprisingly effective because poverty makes many voters desperate for immediate help.
Why this is interesting
In many elections, votes are not won by speeches but by chickens, cash, and construction jobs. Why would a voter trade their ballot for a small gift?