Horacio Larreguy (Harvard)
CReAM - Seminar in Applied Economics Series Horacio Larreguy (Harvard) 'A Market Equilibrium Approach to Reduce the Incidence of Vote-Buying: Evidence from Uganda'
1
4.00pm - 5.30pm (UK time)
Location: Ricardo LT
1

About the event

We estimate the effects of a large-scale, randomized grassroots campaign designed to combat vote-buying in the 2016 election in Uganda. Our design and data collection allow us to estimate how candidates and their brokers respond to the campaign in treatment and spillover areas and how the effects of the campaign vary with local treatment intensity. Contrary to our expectations, the campaign did not reduce the extent to which voters accepted cash and gifts in exchange for their vote. However, it led opposition candidates to increase their vote-buying and policy-campaigning efforts, and it had sizeable effects on electoral outcomes, with opposition candidates benefiting from the campaign at the expense of incumbent candidates. Consistent with these effects, we present evidence that the campaign diminished the effectiveness of vote-buying transactions by shifting local social norms against vote-selling and by convincing some voters to vote according to their conscience, regardless of any gifts received.

1

Please check back closer to the event for more details.

Online format and rules
  • The online seminars are held on Zoom and last 75 minutes; 60 minutes are allocated to the seminar and 15 minutes for discussion
  • The online seminars are held on Zoom and last 60 minutes including discussion.
  • The link to each seminar will appear above prior to the start time. Please email h.ku@ucl.ac.uk si.xu.20@ucl.ac.uk if you have not received the password by the day of the seminar.
  • The moderator will collect audience questions in chat or using the 'raise hand' function, but feel free to interrupt the presenter for short questions or clarifications.
  • Please keep your camera on and your microphone off except when asking questions.
Find Us
  • CReAM Office
    Department of Economics
    University College London
    Drayton House
    30 Gordon Street
    London WC1H 0AX

    020 3549 5390
    cream@ucl.ac.uk

    Closest tube stations:
    Euston, Euston Square