This paper proposes that reforms by vote-seeking governments and the existence of reform-adverse voters are logically … compatible. This results from a commitment problem on the part of voters. Due to economic voting voters cannot credibly commit to … reelect a non-reforming government during a recession. The empirical implication of this voter commitment mechanism is that …

the conditions of credible network reforms. Credibility is defined as the capacity to provide reform commitments. This … achieve the trade off between commitment and flexibility. …

commitment to not reforming the military in the future. …

can thus use promises not to vote-sell as a commitment device. An invitation to promise not to vote-sell is taken up by a …

can thus use promises not to vote-sell as a commitment device. An invitation to promise not to vote-sell is taken up by a …

contrast, regional tax competition acts as a commitment device under the second federal arrangement. The fundamental feature in …