Why do many incumbent leaders increase public spending or reduce taxes prior to elections?

Reforms take time. It is normal that they cannot show the good results of their reforms until the end of their mandates.
0% (0 votes)
They want to boost the economy opportunistically so that voters will be happier with the current government on election day.
100% (15 votes)
They do not want to leave any surplus for their opponents in case they lose.
0% (0 votes)
Because they have a leftist ideolgy.
0% (0 votes)
Total votes: 15
Learning objectives: 
Understanding the economic basis for voter behaviour.
Understanding the concept of voter myopia.
Understanding the effects of fiscal policy on the economy in the short term and in the long term.
Understanding the political business cycle, and in particular opportunistic cycles.
Getting familiar with the academic literature on the political business cycle.
Citing examples of the political business cycle at the local and national levels.
Presentation videos: