Political regimes, investment and electoral uncertainty

Abstract

This study looks at firm’s investment spending in fixed and intangible assets around three types of national elections: presidential, joint presidential and legislative, and parliamentary elections. Investment in fixed assets declines by up to 2.3% during presidential elections, and 4.43% in joint presidential and legislative elections years. On the other hand, intangible investment decreases by 4.47% in parliamentary election years. Moreover, investment responses to electoral shocks differ markedly within political systems and countries’ institutional settings. Investment levels shift significantly downward in pre- and resume in postelection years. The electoral effect results in a net loss in investment over the election cycle.