{"title":"Linking National Security to Economic Growth: An International Political Economy Approach","authors":"Panagiotis Palaios, Georgios Kapogiannis","doi":"10.1111/ecpo.70020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/ecpo.70020","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This paper focuses on developing a utility—maximizing model, which points to an optimal defense budget allocation as well as a relationship between security and growth. We test the validity of our model empirically in the case of Greece and Turkey for the period 1971–2023, considering a set of geopolitical, institutional, and economic variables. Our results indicate that if the level of security attained is inadequate in terms of the threat faced, the economic environment becomes highly uncertain, thus depriving the economy from increasing its GDP. In addition, we point to the need for investment in domestic defense technology and infrastructure, both for facing threats and for promoting economic growth. At the institutional level our results indicate the crucial role of the regime type in smoothing the relationship between the two adversaries. The policy implications derived are based on the close relationship between national security, economic growth, and institutions, indicating the need for economies to invest in their domestic industrial base, in light of the latest technological progress and the multipolar nature of the international system.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47220,"journal":{"name":"Economics & Politics","volume":"38 1","pages":"231-251"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146136174","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Poverty and Perceptions of Electoral Integrity in the USA","authors":"Douglas Cumming, Sofia Johan, Ikenna Uzuegbunam","doi":"10.1111/ecpo.70018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/ecpo.70018","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We propose two opposing forces that impact the relation between electoral integrity and poverty. On the one hand, it is more costly to provide electoral integrity in states where there is more poverty due to transaction costs and opportunity costs. On the other hand, extreme levels of poverty attract media scrutiny and greater external monitoring of electoral integrity, giving rise to more demand for electoral integrity. Taken together, we expect electoral integrity to be a U-shaped function of poverty. We also hypothesize that electoral integrity will vary depending on the strength of state electoral laws. Expert-level survey data on electoral integrity from the 2016 US presidential election and the 2018 US congressional election, in combination with US state-level data on poverty, are strongly consistent with these predictions.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47220,"journal":{"name":"Economics & Politics","volume":"38 1","pages":"216-230"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146135919","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Francisco J. Veiga, Marija Opačak Eror, Simona Prijaković
{"title":"Online Local Budget Transparency and Local Elections in Croatia","authors":"Francisco J. Veiga, Marija Opačak Eror, Simona Prijaković","doi":"10.1111/ecpo.70019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/ecpo.70019","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This study empirically analyses the impact of online local budget transparency (OLBT) on the electoral performance of city mayors and municipal heads who sought re-election in Croatia's local elections in 2017 and 2021. Based on the literature on political budget cycles (PBC) and voting behavior, the study tests two main hypotheses: (1) that budget transparency is rewarded by voters; and (2) that it diminishes the electoral benefits of opportunistic pre-election increases in expenditures. These hypotheses are examined using fixed-effects panel models applied to data from up to all 556 Croatian cities and municipalities where incumbents ran for re-election. The dependent variable is the vote share received by the incumbent in the first round of the local elections. The empirical results provide support for both hypotheses.</p>","PeriodicalId":47220,"journal":{"name":"Economics & Politics","volume":"38 1","pages":"199-215"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/ecpo.70019","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146140158","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Quality of Government and Educational Performance Across Countries","authors":"Horst Feldmann","doi":"10.1111/ecpo.70015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/ecpo.70015","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Using a new indicator of government quality, two different indicators of educational performance and two different datasets covering up to 120 countries, this study finds robust evidence that a higher quality of government improves educational performance. This is probably because a competent bureaucracy, a good legal system, and an able government that is responsive to its people all combine to support and impel education providers to achieve high standards. By contrast, poor governance, as exemplified by widespread corruption, military involvement in politics and a weak, incompetent and unpopular government, hampers the working of the educational system, thus reducing learning outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":47220,"journal":{"name":"Economics & Politics","volume":"38 1","pages":"183-198"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/ecpo.70015","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146140044","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Facundo Albornoz, Matthias Dahm, Luis Frones, Todd Landman
{"title":"International Trade and Forced Labor","authors":"Facundo Albornoz, Matthias Dahm, Luis Frones, Todd Landman","doi":"10.1111/ecpo.70016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/ecpo.70016","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We explore the link between trade liberalization and forced labor theoretically and empirically. Our theoretical framework predicts that the net effect of trade on the use of forced labor depends on which sectors improve their relative terms of trade and if openness to trade triggers anti-forced labor policies in the country or by trade partners. Using two datasets, we show that trade openness increases the intensive margin of forced labor but not the extensive margin. Splitting trade partners by labor standards, we show that trade with high-standard countries reduces both margins, whereas trade with low-standard countries raises the intensive margin.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47220,"journal":{"name":"Economics & Politics","volume":"38 1","pages":"157-182"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146136138","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"How Do Investors Respond to Data Asset Disclosure: Evidence From China","authors":"Yibo Huang, Zhuoran Wang, Huili Zhang","doi":"10.1111/ecpo.70017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/ecpo.70017","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Data have become increasingly important in almost all aspects of society, including government, business, finance, and education. This study examines stock market reactions to the publication of formal regulations on the accounting treatment of data assets, which, among other things, specifies the accounting treatment related to corporate data resources and boosts the disclosure of related accounting information. We document that firms with higher data asset potential receive more positive market reactions to the regulations than those with lower data asset potential. Heterogeneity analyses suggest that the positive market reactions are concentrated in firms with technological attribute, higher technological factor intensity, and stronger market position. In addition, we observe that stronger external monitoring, higher stock liquidity, and better information disclosure amplify the positive market reactions. Overall, our findings provide systematic evidence of positive market reactions following data assets regulations and shed light on relevant policy-making and regulatory processes, which may be extrapolated to other emerging countries.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47220,"journal":{"name":"Economics & Politics","volume":"38 1","pages":"142-156"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146139362","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Director Network and Corporate Digital Technology Innovation: The Role of Resource and Peer Effects","authors":"Jingmiao Li, Dehong Liu, Ella Guangxin Xu","doi":"10.1111/ecpo.70014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/ecpo.70014","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This study explores how the director network (DN) influences corporate digital technology innovation (CDTI) by considering resource and peer effects. Focusing on Chinese listed enterprises, our results reveal that enterprises with higher director network centrality (DNC) achieve greater CDTI. Moreover, peers' CDTI boosts the focal enterprise's CDTI and strengthens the positive effect of DNC on CDTI. Mechanism analysis suggests that DNC enhances CDTI through promoting research and development investment and digitalisation. Furthermore, the effects of DNC on CDTI are confirmed through heterogeneity analysis of non–state–owned enterprises, non–Big4 enterprises, and enterprises in growth and mature stages.</p>","PeriodicalId":47220,"journal":{"name":"Economics & Politics","volume":"38 1","pages":"122-141"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/ecpo.70014","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146147976","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Central Bank Independence and Fiscal Stance: The Role of Institutions in Supporting Fiscal Sustainability","authors":"Ryszard Kokoszczyński, Joanna Mackiewicz-Łyziak","doi":"10.1111/ecpo.70013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/ecpo.70013","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We investigate the effect of central bank independence (CBI) on fiscal stance: the direct impact on the primary balance and the impact on the reaction of the primary balance to the public debt. We also analyze the role of institutions in the effects of CBI on fiscal policy. We estimate fiscal reaction functions augmented by a measure of CBI using a panel of 98 countries. We find that CBI lowers the primary balance but strengthens its reaction to the government debt, hence increasing long-term fiscal sustainability. Other institutions, such as democracy, seem to strengthen the negative direct reaction of the primary balance to CBI.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":47220,"journal":{"name":"Economics & Politics","volume":"38 1","pages":"104-121"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146139471","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Institutional Quality Convergence Among BRICS and BRICS Plus","authors":"Yasin Kutuk","doi":"10.1111/ecpo.70011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/ecpo.70011","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The paper seeks to assess the relevance of BRICS as an analytical category by examining six indicators of good governance and investigating whether BRICS membership has led to institutional convergence among its members. The primary data source for this study is the Worldwide Governance Indicators provided by the World Bank for the period 2006–2020. These indicators focus on six key dimensions that assess the quality of governance within the BRICS countries and the six BRICS Plus candidate nations. Following the approach outlined by Phillips and Sul (2007, 2009), the analysis reveals convergence in five of these indicators among the BRICS countries, with the exception of the Control of Corruption. This discrepancy raises questions about the BRICS' role and influence as an international organization. However, it is worth noting that none of the six potential BRICS Plus candidates exhibit full cointegration or convergence with all the indicators used to assess the BRICS. The results, encompassing both cointegration and convergence, highlight the significant challenges in achieving complete alignment for the emerging BRICS Plus group.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47220,"journal":{"name":"Economics & Politics","volume":"38 1","pages":"62-92"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146147906","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Impact of Capital Market Activity and Investor Sentiment on the Yield of Internet Money Market Funds: Evidence From Yu'ebao","authors":"Jing Yang, Fan Ma, Yongmin Zhang, Yirong Liang","doi":"10.1111/ecpo.70012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/ecpo.70012","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The high liquidity and flexibility of internet money market funds enable investors to subscribe and redeem their holdings conveniently at any time. Yu'ebao, as one of China's most representative internet money market fund products, has attracted considerable attention regarding the determinants of fluctuations in its yield. Taking Yu'ebao as the research subject, this paper explores the mechanisms through which capital market activities and investor sentiment—captured through both stock and bond markets—affect the fund's yield. Empirical results indicate that: (1) stock market trading volume exhibits a significant positive correlation with Yu'ebao's yield, whereas bond market trading volume shows a significant negative impact; (2) the influence of bond market trading volume on Yu'ebao's yield is more pronounced compared to that of the stock market; (3) although investor sentiment is significantly positively correlated with Yu'ebao's yield, it does not constitute a decisive determinant. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the yield formation mechanism in internet money market funds. Through empirically validated findings and multiple robustness checks, it provides crucial evidence for financial regulatory authorities concerning monetary policy formulation and market stability management.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47220,"journal":{"name":"Economics & Politics","volume":"38 1","pages":"93-103"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146136037","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}