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Replication Data for: Shaping Electoral Outcomes: Intra- and Anti-systemic Violence in Indian Assembly Elections

Harvard Dataverse (Africa Rice Center, Bioversity International, CCAFS, CIAT, IFPRI, IRRI and WorldFish)

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Title Replication Data for: Shaping Electoral Outcomes: Intra- and Anti-systemic Violence in Indian Assembly Elections
 
Identifier https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/ACRF5X
 
Creator Harbers, Imke
Richetta, Cécile
van Wingerden, Enrike
 
Publisher Harvard Dataverse
 
Description Electoral violence is perpetrated by anti-systemic actors opposed to the democratic system as well as by those vying for power through the electoral process. Even though the motivations for violent tactics are distinct, we do not know whether intra- and anti-systemic violence differ in their effects. Focusing on state-level elections in India – a country that combines nationwide elections with persistent political violence – we demonstrate that the distinction is crucial for understanding spatial patterns of electoral violence, and effects on election outcomes. Based on an original dataset of violence in legislative assembly elections between 1985 and 2008, we show that both tactics depress turnout overall, but that the effect is larger for anti-systemic violence. Intra-systemic violence appears to be more selectively targeted, as it is more likely to occur in constituencies where the incumbent belongs to the state-level opposition, and also generates electoral benefits for the party in control of state government.
 
Subject Social Sciences
violence, elections, turnout
 
Contributor Harbers, Imke