Dennis C. Mueller|Thomas Stratmann
The economic effects of democratic participation
Vienna University of Economics and Business|University of Vienna|George Mason University
considerable concern expressed recent years declines voter participation rates united states several major democratic countries feel low participation rates introduce class bias political process thereby worsen outcomes little empirical work exists however measures effects lower participation welfare country paper begins fill void presents crossnational evidence high levels democratic participation associated equal distributions income papers results also imply however reduction income inequality comes cost high participation rates related larger government sectors turn lead slower economic growth also present evidence capture government upper income groups latin central american countries