Poverty, social networks, and clientelism

• Poor voters are more likely to be recipients of electoral clientelism during elections. who central in informal family networks targeted compared those less central. The targeting poor, does not appear driven by beliefs that easier monitor and punish. Access poor alternative further undermines the ability campaigns credibly punish wayward voters. Why susceptible clientelism, what factors shield them from influence vote buying? We explore role both formal social shaping likelihood being with private inducements. argue when lack access networks, they become increasingly reliant on buying channelled through networks. To test our theory, we build informal, family-based network linkages between local politicians spanning a city Philippines. then collect survey data connections, handouts, voting behaviour 900 randomly drawn these show first disproportionately target poorer familial ties among Finally, such as workers’ associations mitigate voter fears punishment for failing reciprocate.