Distribution of Public Resources as a Tool for Mobilizing Electoral Support. The Case of Allocation of Firefighting Equipment in Slovakia Cover Image

Distribúcia verejných zdrojov ako nástroj mobilizácie volebnej podpory. Prípad alokácie hasičskej techniky na Slovensku
Distribution of Public Resources as a Tool for Mobilizing Electoral Support. The Case of Allocation of Firefighting Equipment in Slovakia

Author(s): Veronika Šulková, Peter Spáč
Subject(s): Civil Society, Governance, Public Administration, Electoral systems
Published by: Sociologický ústav - Slovenská akadémia vied
Keywords: Pork barrel politics; elections; grants; Slovakia; municipalities;

Summary/Abstract: Research shows that political parties use public resources as a vote-buying mechanism. This paper analyzes the distribution of fire engines to Slovak municipalities before 2016 election. We find that towns with mayors from the ruling party as well as municipalities where this party scored better in previous election were advantaged in the selection process. We also show that grants increase the electoral support of the ruling party and even more substantially they boost the share of votes of the government representative who personally directed the distribution. This positive effect is strongest in smaller municipalities and it weakens with rising town population.

  • Issue Year: 53/2021
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 377-399
  • Page Count: 23
  • Language: Slovak