Political expenditure cycles and election outcomes: Evidence from disaggregation of public expenditures by economic functions

Enkelmann, S. and Leibrecht, M. (2013) Political expenditure cycles and election outcomes: Evidence from disaggregation of public expenditures by economic functions. Economics Letters, 121 (1). pp. 128-132. ISSN 0165-1765 doi: 10.1016/j.econlet.2013.07.015

Abstract/Summary

We analyze electorally motivated public spending using disaggregated expenditure data. Election cycles in total expenditures and in specific sub-categories mainly exist in newly democratized Eastern European countries. However, electorally motivated spending policies are ineffective means to enhance the re-election probability.