Political competition over property rights enforcement

Abstract

I study what level of tax-financed property rights enforcement societies choose in elections when appropriators can steal from producers. Restrictions determine who can run for office. Candidates propose enforcement levels and tax rates. The election winner keeps the budget surplus. If the majority of voters are producers, then fewer restrictions on who can run for office are associated with more secure property rights. Lifting restrictions on who can run benefits producers, while lifting restrictions on who can vote does not. If the majority of voters are appropriators, then elections lead to adverse outcomes, irrespective of who can run for office.