Appropriate Institutions? Traditional Governance and Public Goods Provision in Oaxaca, Mexico

What are the consequences of adoption traditional governance institutions among indigenous groups for local government affairs? We study 1995 Usos y Costumbres reform in state Oaxaca, which legitimized these structures a subset its municipalities. show that degree ethnolinguistic polarization between residents outlying communities and municipal capitals is an important barrier to former's political representation elections. In terms public goods provision, villages ethnic minorities less likely gain electric service but more sewerage services schooling.