hires are relatively more qualified. Our results suggest a potential upside to patronage as campaign connections create new …

This article investigates the patronage phenomenon in the italian, so called, Second Republic. In particular, the … instrument to control and reward politicians' loyalty throughout a legislature. Especially in a majoritarian electoral system …, where the interests of political parties and districts may diverge, the formers would need patronage resource to assure …

politicians ascent to higher office, if it entails stricter scrutiny that may reduce favoritism. Around close Congress elections …, we find RDD-based evidence of this adverse effect that a politicians win reduces his former classmates firms stock value … effect. It further varies with politicians power, firm size and governance, and connection strength, and diminishes as a …