1. Strategic Government Spending and Legislative Fragmentation: Evidence and Lessons from Pre- and Post-Democratization South Korea and Taiwan.
- Author
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Yap, Fiona
- Subjects
- *
PUBLIC spending , *DEMOCRATIZATION , *BUDGET cuts , *POLITICAL parties - Abstract
Is electoral government spending distinct between pre- and post-democratization periods? A large literature suggests that allocations are structurally different: generally, total spending and civilian distributions increase following democratization while the militaryâs share of the budget decreases. Further, these trends are pronounced in election years. However, a smaller set of studies point out that governments in less-democratic countries also respond strategically to constituency demands. Curiously, few studies compare pre- and post-democratization spending. This paper fills the gap with data from South Korea and Taiwan. Three findings are useful: First, it establishes strategic constituency responsiveness prior to democratization. Second, it reveals the strategic use of electoral spending following democratization to develop one branch of the government â" the executiveâ" that penalizes legislative parties. Third, the result of such strategic spending is an increase in the number of parties in the legislature. This result suggests that party fragmentation may enhance rather than jeopardize democratic performance. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2009