Policymaking under tough economic times: Parties, policy issues and the adoption of programmatic policies

Abstract

To what extent is partisan ability to shape policies affected by an economic downturn? Based on the analysis of the fulfilment of 2,412 election pledges in Italy (1996–2018), this article demonstrates that governing parties prioritize different types of promises in tough economic times compared to normal or growing periods. Despite the presence of important constraints, parties have incentives to still try to carve out space for (some of) their policy preferences. In addition, results suggest that the effect of the economic context on pledge fulfilment is contingent on: (a) the policy issue; and (b) parties’ political affiliation.