2003/08/01 by Rohini Pande · 5 citations
Social Sciences · #Electoral Systems and Political Participation #Gender Politics and Representation #Social Policy and Reform Studies #Disadvantaged #Reservation #Mandate #Politics #Premise #Democracy #Political science #Representation (politics) #Public administration #Political economy #Economics #Public economics #Law
paper · doi:10.1257/000282803769206232
openalex publication_date 2003/08/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
A basic premise of representative democracy is that all those subject to policy should have a voice in its making. However, policies enacted by electorally accountable governments often fail to reflect the interests of disadvantaged minorities. This paper exploits the institutional features of political reservation, as practiced in Indian states, to examine the role of mandated political representation in providing disadvantaged groups influence over policy-making. I find that political reservation has increased transfers to groups which benefit from the mandate. This finding also suggests that complete policy commitment may be absent in democracies, as is found in this case.