Social and Political Consequences of Electoral Misconduct

Abstract

Recently questions about the causes and consequences of fraudulent elections have received increasing attention. Scholars has been focusing on how fraudulent elections affect party systems; or exploring under which type of electoral system these acts of fraud are observed more often; or under which conditions incumbents decide to commit electoral fraud. This panel intends to offer scholars interested in this topic an opportunity to discuss issues addressing questions like: Do cheating incumbents promote political instability? Can opposition parties successfully survive fraudulent elections? Do fraudulent elections have any effect on the economic development of a country? Are fraudulent elections related to foreign economic aid? Are countries where electoral fraud is common trustworthy trade partners for developed democracies? These questions are the core subject of this panel. Papers dealing with these, or closely related, issues using theoretical approaches or large comparative analysis are welcome in this panel. This panel is sponsored by the ECPR Standing Group on Comparative Political Institutions.