This study investigates the surprising connection between Members of Parliament's (MPs) legislative output and their private benefits. Using a natural experiment in New Zealand, where randomly selected MPs were given bill proposal opportunities, researchers found that proposing successful legislation increases MPs' receipt of gifts and payments for services.
Data & Methods: A unique natural experiment involving random assignment of legislative initiative powers to NZ MPs.
Key Findings: There's a causal link between legislative activity (proposing bills) and private benefits received by MPs, including monetary payments and gifts.
Why It Matters: This suggests that the pursuit of political power or status through legislation can be leveraged for personal gain.
| Legislative Activity and Private Benefits: A Natural Experiment in New Zealand was authored by Matia Vannoni, Massimo Morelli and Moritz Osnabrugge. It was published by Cambridge in PSR&M in 2020. |
