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Do Businessmen Make Good Governors?
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Do Businessmen Make Good Governors?

Ifo Working Paper No. 230

Florian Neumeier
Ifo, 2016
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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Analytical
  • Innovative

Recommendation

In the United States, most prominent politicians have a law degree, extensive political experience, or both. But as the country’s 2016 presidential election showed, career politicians do not always have the upper hand; people with business backgrounds also can win elections. Yet substantial debate continues about how well a business career translates into public service. This illuminating report from economist Florian Neumeier methodically tracks the records of “CEO governors” and quantifies their economic results. getAbstract recommends this empirical study of a speculative discussion to public servants and voters, as well as to businesspeople considering a run for public office.

Summary

Some observers of the political scene believe that businesspeople bring management experience, leadership skills and other valuable talents to public governance. Not surprisingly, during election campaigns, erstwhile executives emphasize their business acumen as their qualification for government office. These aspirants tend to be less wedded to party platforms than politicians are and more willing to adopt change. Because CEOs often spend their own money on campaigning, they may not feel indebted to large contributors and special interest groups. But ...

About the Author

Florian Neumeier is an economist at the Ifo Institute in Munich, Germany.

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