Political Economy & Governance

Policy Insights in Political Economy & Governance

J-PAL’s Political Economy & Governance sector seeks to improve governance and service delivery in developing countries. Our policy insight below summarizes the general lessons emerging from randomized evaluations on the impact of gender quotas on women’s political representation and service delivery.

—Benjamin Olken (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and Rohini Pande (Harvard Kennedy School), Political Economy & Governance Co-Chairs

The risks and rewards of voter information campaigns in low- and middle-income countries

Last updated: March 2019

Providing information on candidates’ qualifications, policy positions, and performance in office can affect voter turnout and who people vote for. In lower-income countries, this type of information has been most effective when it was widely disseminated from a credible source. Read More

Improving women’s representation in politics through gender quotas

Last updated: April 2018

Gender quotas for women in local government bodies can improve women’s representation in politics, increase provision of public services, and improve perceptions of women as leaders. Read More