Does Electing Women Reduce Corruption? A Regression Discontinuity Approach

• In Event: The Link between Gender and Political Corruption

Abstract

Previous studies uncovered a negative relationship between the presence of women in public office and corruption, inspiring anti-corruption programs across the world. Gender differences in socialization or access have been suggested as explanations for this pattern. However, whether the nature of this relationship is causal or not remains unclear. Leveraging the gradual implementation of gender quotas in Spain, this project is able to isolate the effects of female descriptive representation on public misconduct, and to adjudicate between alternative theories. The analyses reveal that an exogenous increase in the share of women elected led to a sustained decrease in corruption. This result contradicts the view that gender effects on corruption are short-lived and driven mainly by the inexperience of the newly elected female representatives. Rather, the evidence is consistent with the argument that socially-induced gender roles shape gender differences in corrupt behavior. The study contributes both to our understanding of the effect of public officials’ characteristics on policy outcomes, and to the role of parity laws in promoting political change.

Authors

• Miguel Maria Pereira, Washington University in St. Louis

• Pablo Fernandez-Vazquez, University of Pittsburgh