Research

Abstract: What motivates individuals to participate in social activism? Do awareness campaigns and information about others’ willingness to act play a role? We conduct an online experiment within a survey of nearly 2000 Indian men, focusing on activism to combat health sector fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic. In different treatment groups, we either provide information about the social problem, correct misaligned beliefs about others’ willingness to act, or both. Participants are then cross-randomized to engage in one of three forms of activism: signing a petition, making a donation to an NGO fighting for the cause, or watching a video on ways to support the cause. We also experimentally examine the impact of allowing subjects to choose between the three forms of activism. Providing information and correcting downward biased beliefs about others increases petition signing, but has no impact on donations and video viewing. Giving participants a choice of actions decreases the probability of any single action being taken up. Our comprehensive examination of the factors influencing engagement in different forms of activism within a unified framework generates insights on the motivations behind participation in collective efforts for social change. 

Abstract: We ask whether major crises, that expose citizens to institutional failures, can be catalysts for engagement in actions aimed at improving those same institutions. We consider the case of the COVID-19 pandemic in India, which substantially increased citizens’ exposure to corruption in the healthcare sector. Using state-level variation in peak COVID-19 daily case-loads in India and quasi-random participation in an online survey (March–July 2021), we elicit support for health-sector accountability through individuals’ willingness to engage in an NGO campaign advocating transparency in healthcare. Comparing respondents surveyed before and after their state’s COVID-19 peak, we find that exposure to the most acute phase of the pandemic is associated with a greater engagement in low-cost anti-corruption civic actions post-peak. This change coincides with heightened awareness of the social problem, more optimistic beliefs about others’ willingness to act along with increased risk tolerance. 

Abstract: This paper analyzes the existence of electoral cycles in infrastructure provision in the context of a large rural road-building program in India. We use data covering 150,000 roads over a decade to demonstrate an increase in road-building activity before state elections. While these electoral cycles in rural road-building do not translate into efficiency losses in terms of quality, cost, or delay, we find evidence of some distortions in the composition of roads that are built just before elections. In line with our model’s predictions, we also find that electoral constituencies with a larger share of uninformed voters display larger electoral cycles.

Abstract: Urban waste management challenges pose significant health and economic consequences. Although source-level waste segregation offers a promising solution, its success depends on household participation. Through a randomized controlled trial in the capital city of Bihar, India, we evaluate how light-touch messaging interventions influence household waste management practices. Our results reveal a stark behavioral disconnect: while interventions increased financial contributions to waste segregation initiatives by 9.6 – 11.7 percent compared to the control group, they failed to improve actual waste segregation practices. This gap between financial support and behavioral change highlights the complexity of promoting sustainable waste management practices in urban households.