Replication data for: Gridlock: Ethnic Diversity in Government and the Provision of Public Goods

How does ethnic diversity in government impact public good provision? We construct a novel dataset linking the ethnicity of California city council candidates to election outcomes and expenditure decisions. Using a regression discontinuity approach, we find that increased diversity on the council leads to less spending on public goods. This is especially true in cities with high segregation and economic inequality. Those serving on councils that experience an increase in diversity also receive fewer votes when they run for reelection. These results point towards disagreement within the council generating lower spending.

政府中的族群多样性会对公共品供给产生何种影响？本研究构建了一套新颖的数据集，将加利福尼亚州市议会候选人的族群身份与其选举结果及公共支出决策相关联。通过采用断点回归（regression discontinuity）方法开展分析，本研究发现市议会族群多样性提升会导致公共品支出减少，这一效应在族群高度隔离与经济不平等程度较高的城市中尤为显著。在族群多样性得到提升的市议会中履职的议员，在参选连任时也会获得更少的选票。上述研究结果表明，市议会内部的意见分歧会引发公共品支出规模下降。