Family Networks and Voting Behavior: Evidence from the Philippines

• In Event: Money Politics in Southeast Asia: Patronage, Clientelism, and Electoral Dynamics

Abstract

In this paper we map networks of family relationships between voters and local political
candidates spanning one whole city in the Philippines to examine how family networks affect
the vote buying. We rely on local naming conventions to assess blood and marriage links. Using these family networks, we examine whether familial distance is important for individual vote. We draw on survey data on 895 randomly selected voters to examine
whether familial distance is important for individual vote. Specifically, we look at how family ties effect a) whether or not a voter is offered money by a campaign, b) how much voters are offered, d) whether or not they accept those funds, and d) whether or not they vote for a candidate that offered them money.

Authors

• Michael Davidson, University of California, San Diego

• Allen Hicken, University of Michigan