Political Leaders, Economic Hardship, and Redistribution in Democracies: Impact of Political Leaders on Welfare Policy

Abstract

This study analyzes how political leaders’ material backgrounds affect redistributive policies in democracies. Building on political socialization theory, we argue that politicians with personal experience of economic hardship are more likely to have sympathetic attitudes toward redistribution than those without such experience, particularly where political constraints are weak. We posit that firsthand knowledge of economic hardship helps political leaders understand why the poor need government redistribution, and leads them to support more generous social welfare policies. Analyzing an original dataset of leaders’ material background in 74 democratic countries between 1980 and 2011, we find that leaders who experienced economic hardship in their youth increase social welfare spending during their tenure, particularly when political constraints are weak. Following prior studies on leaders’ personal experiences and policy outcomes, this study provides a new approach to redistribution and welfare policy.

Local Leaders and Tourism Development: A Case Study in China

“…Local government leaders play an important role in initiating social and economic policy reforms, determining the performance level and operational efficiency of the whole government organizations (Hayo and Neumeier 2016; Gabriel 2019; Han and Han 2020; Yao and Zhang 2015). However, they are also characterized by different preferences and competence (Besley 2005; Dreher et al 2009).…”

The Economic Backgrounds of Politicians

“…Of course, the literature on the economic backgrounds of politicians is not unanimous in its motivations. As with first-wave research, some modern studies analyze the economic backgrounds of politicians in order to understand other political phenomena, like why public policy differs from place to place (e.g., Han & Han 2021) or why politicians and voters appear to respond differently to childhood experiences of economic shocks (Carreri & Teso 2021)-without necessarily foregrounding concerns about representational inequality. Other studies even conceptualize inequalities in officeholding not as problems or puzzles but as desirable outcomes.…”

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The influence of education, economy and religion domains in enhancing ethnic unity among Malaysian youths

“…Fair economic distribution is vital in helping to improve the economy as well as safeguarding the rights and welfare of the people. Through this approach, a country will be able to build ethnic unity and avoid inter-ethnic hatred sentiments that can harm the country (Han and Han, 2020).…”