Elections that Inspire: Effects of Black Mayors on Educational Attainment

67 Pages Posted: 17 Dec 2024

See all articles by Rogerio Santarrosa

Rogerio Santarrosa

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Jorge Ikawa

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Clarice Martins

University of São Paulo (USP)

Pedro C. Sant'Anna

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Department of Economics, Students

Abstract

We study the impact of Black mayor’s election in Brazil on Black students’ educational attainment. Using a regression discontinuity design on close elections, we find that Black students from municipalities where Black candidates won are more likely to enroll in the National High School Examination, attend universities, and graduate. We find suggestive evidence that students' aspirations play a role:  secondary/tertiary education is not mayor’s primary responsibility; Black mayors do not perform better in policies that affect our outcomes; and effects are strong for Black students from both public and private schools, while weaker for White students from public schools.

Keywords: Race, Education, Brazilian Elections, Aspirations, Discrimination

Suggested Citation

Santarrosa, Rogerio and Ikawa, Jorge and Martins, Clarice and C. Sant'Anna, Pedro, Elections that Inspire: Effects of Black Mayors on Educational Attainment. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=5060450 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5060450

Rogerio Santarrosa (Contact Author)

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

No Address Available

Jorge Ikawa

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

No Address Available

Clarice Martins

University of São Paulo (USP) ( email )

Rua Luciano Gualberto, 315
São Paulo, São Paulo 14800-901
Brazil

Pedro C. Sant'Anna

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Department of Economics, Students ( email )

Cambridge, MA
United States

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