Politics & Governance / Domestic Politics / Democracy & Elections

How Political Machines Buy Votes in Secret Elections: Argentina's Perverse Accountability

Susan C. Stokes

In a democracy, you vote in secret. So how can a political party force you to vote for them after taking their bribe? This video unpacks a groundbreaking study from the American Political Science Review by Susan C. Stokes. Using data from Argentina, she reveals the dark logic of 'perverse accountability' — where parties monitor voters through social networks, hand-deliver ballots, and target the poor with precision. You'll learn why the poorest voters are 65 times more likely to be swayed by a handout, and why loyal supporters often get ignored. This isn't just theory; it's how real machines operate. Watch to understand the hidden mechanics of vote buying.