Skill Versus Voice in Local Development

Abstract Where the state is weak, traditional authorities control local provision of public goods. These leaders come from an older, less educated generation and often rule in authoritarian exclusionary fashion. This means skills community members may not be leveraged policymaking. We experimentally evaluate two solutions to this problem Sierra Leone: one encourages delegation higher-skill individuals, a second fosters broader inclusion decision making. In real-world infrastructure grants competition, nudge delegate led better outcomes than default chiefly control, whereas attempts boost participation were largely ineffective.