Research

PUBLICATIONS

“Under Pressure: Women’s Leadership During the COVID-19 Crisis”, with R. Bruce, L. Meloni, and M. Remigio. Journal of Development Economics, Volume 154, 2022.

“Policy Enforcement in the Presence of Organized Crime: Evidence from Rio de Janeiro”, with R. Bruce and L. Meloni, 2023. Journal of Development Economics, Volume 162, 2023.

“Media Manipulation in Young Democracies: Evidence from the 1989 Brazilian Presidential Election.”, with R. Corbi, L. Novaes, and L. Meloni. Comparative Political Studies, 2023.

WORKING PAPERS

“Campaign Money for Nothing? Understanding the Consequences of a Ban on Corporate Contributions: Evidence from Brazil.”, with F. Granella, 2023. Available upon request.

Updated abstract. We study the effects of the 2015 ban on corporate contributions in Brazil on the allocation of procurement contracts and the frequency of large personal contributions of corporate members, a channel to circumvent the ban. We use difference-in-differences regression models that compare outcomes of contributing and non-contributing firms before and after the ban. We document three findings. First, before the ban, contributing firms won 20 to 25% more procurement tenders per year than non-contributing firms. Second, the ban on corporate contributions significantly decreased the number of national procurement contracts won by contributing firms by 2 to 11 percentage points, a magnitude that only partially offset their previous advantage. Third, firms previously making large contributions circumvent the ban in national and local elections with donations from owners and board members. Our findings suggest that a ban on corporate contributions has limited effects on the average influence of contributing firms when there are mechanisms to circumvent the ban.

“Spoils of Colonization. The Impact of British Colonial Institutions on Sexual Prejudice: Evidence from Contemporary Africa.”, with C. Navarro, 2023. Draft soon.

Updated abstract. This paper tests the widely debated hypothesis that British colonial institutions promoted sexual prejudice -  i.e., negative feelings against sexual minorities - in postcolonial societies. Using two different methodologies (OLS across countries and Geo-RDD across countries), we find substantial effects of exposure to British colonial institutions on sexual prejudice in postcolonial societies, ranging from ten to fifty per cent of the outcome average. Mechanisms analysis suggests that a generalized increase in prejudice and differences in socioeconomic outcomes caused by British colonial institutions are unlikely to explain our results. In line with historical accounts, our results are consistent with a stronger presence, enforcement, and persistence of sodomy laws enforced by the British Empire promoting sexual prejudice in postcolonial societies.

(SELECTED) WORK IN PROGRESS

“Promoting State Effectiveness in the Era Of Digital Government: Evidence from Brazilian Public Procurement.”, multiple projects with different co-authors.

“We Are Short on Men! The Long-run Effects of the Transatlantic Slave Trade on Sexual Prejudice.”, with C. Navarro, and S. P. Vincent.

“How Does Media Ownership Impact Political Power? Evidence from the Brazilian Democratization.”, with L. Meloni.