Economic performance has long been considered key to voter behavior. "It's the economy, stupid," said a campaign strategist for Bill Clinton, cementing a view that a government's economic record is what voters care most about. But too much emphasis on the economy may be missing other, no less consequential, factors. A recent study by George Ward of the Massachusetts … [Read more...] about Does Happiness Sway Elections?
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Can Government Commitments Win Back Citizens’ Trust in Latin America?
Trust is rare in Latin America, and only getting rarer. Economic and financial mismanagement, corruption scandals, and inequality have taken their toll. According to Latinóbarometro, an annual public opinion survey of 18 countries from the region, trust in government dropped from 45% in 2009 to 22% in 2018, and the share of people who are discontent with democracy soared from … [Read more...] about Can Government Commitments Win Back Citizens’ Trust in Latin America?
Central America and the Dominican Republic: Internal Strengths to Face External Challenges
The economies of Central America and the Dominican Republic (CADR) have been facing significant challenges that are not limited simply to fiscal issues. We trust that the region will improve its resilience to these challenges by consolidating its economic fundamentals, continuing to push for regional integration, and strengthening its institutions. All of this will contribute … [Read more...] about Central America and the Dominican Republic: Internal Strengths to Face External Challenges
Behavioral Interventions on One Tax Can Boost Compliance Across the Board
Can interventions from behavioral economics get people to pay their taxes? It is a question of the greatest urgency in Latin America and the Caribbean where evasion of personal and corporate income taxes reaches as high as 50% in many countries, with significant impact on their scope of options. The short answer is that behavioral interventions can be crucial. As has been … [Read more...] about Behavioral Interventions on One Tax Can Boost Compliance Across the Board
Nudging: A Path to Greater Childhood Vaccination
How can vaccinations be guaranteed in poor rural areas? Guatemala faced the problem recently when it confronted the declining rates of rural immunization after children's first year of life, a phenomenon that potentially threatened childhood health and survival. Declining rates of childhood vaccination These biases were taking their toll. Mothers made a big effort during … [Read more...] about Nudging: A Path to Greater Childhood Vaccination