This book explains variations in the effectiveness of vote buying. Current theory assumes that vote buying is effective, rotting democracy's foundations. Yet evidence shows that it rarely succeeds. Against the Machine presents a partisan competition theory to explain why buying vote choices is typically ineffective, the conditions under which it occasionally succeeds, and why it persists despite meager electoral returns. Competitive elections arm voters with the psychological wherewithal to resist the influence of electoral gifts, deprive political machines of the information they need to target compliant clients, and reinforce belief in ballot secrecy. The success or failure of vote buying thus relies more on the capacity of parties that challenge machines rather than the prowess of political machines themselves. Against the Machine provides a new account of vote buying that paints a more optimistic portrait of elections, voter behavior, and the chances for political accountability in new democracies.

‘Why does vote buying so often fail? Greene shows that the forces of democratic competition erode the effectiveness of vote buying, empowering voters to choose freely. Theoretically original, empirically rigorous, and refreshingly optimistic, this book will reshape how we think about clientelism and the promises of democracy.’

Alisha C. Holland - Gates Professor of Developing Societies, Department of Government, Harvard University

‘This pathbreaking book overturns conventional wisdom and sheds new light on long-standing puzzles about political clientelism. With theoretical clarity and impressive evidence, Kenneth F. Greene shows how partisan competition arms voters and disrupts the mechanics of vote buying. A compelling, rigorously argued, and deeply important contribution – essential reading for anyone who cares about how democracy actually works across much of the world.’

Noam Lupu - Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for Global Democracy and LAPOP Lab, Vanderbilt University

‘Greene's Against the Machine demonstrates that political machines persist in vote-buying efforts despite their ineffectiveness because they lack clear evidence of failure, treating the practice as a hedge against uncertainty. Theoretically innovative and methodologically rigorous, it is an outstanding contribution to the study of clientelism, electoral behavior, and democratic accountability.’

Gustavo A. Flores-Macías - Dean and Professor, University of Maryland, School of Public Policy