Mathematics
Clientelism and Vote Buying in Emerging Democracies
Quick fact
In many emerging democracies, vote buying is not an isolated incident but a systemic feature: studies in countries like Nigeria, India, and Argentina show that millions of voters are offered gifts, cash, or favors during election campaigns, yet most still vote according to their own preferences—revealing a complex game between parties and voters.
Why this is interesting
In a lively election, a candidate is handing out cash to villagers in exchange for their votes. This seems like a simple bribe, but why does this happen so frequently in emerging democracies, even when it's against the law?