Political dynasties and poverty: measurement and evidence of linkages in the Philippines

Authors

Ronald U. Mendoza, Ateneo School of Government, Ateneo de Manila UniversityFollow
Edsel L. Beja Jr, Ateneo de Manila UniversityFollow
Victor S. Venida, Ateneo de Manila UniversityFollow
David B. Yap II, Asian Institute of Management

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-2016

Abstract

Political dynasty refers to a situation in which an incumbent official has at least one relative in elected office in the past or the present government. In the Philippines, for example, political dynasties comprise over 70% of its Congress. The impact of political dynasties on socioeconomic outcomes such as poverty is an important empirical question (do political dynasties exacerbate poverty?), and this paper presents some evidence. The analysis of data from the Philippines finds a worsening effect of political dynasties on poverty in provinces outside Luzon.

Recommended Citation

Ronald U. Mendoza, Edsel L. Beja Jr., Victor S. Venida & David B. Yap (2016) Political dynasties and poverty: measurement and evidence of linkages in the Philippines, Oxford Development Studies, 44:2, 189-201, DOI: 10.1080/13600818.2016.1169264