Prosecutors, Polarization, and Partisan Bias: Theory and Evidence from Corruption Probes in Argentina

This presentation will explore how political polarization shapes judicial behavior in Argentina’s federal corruption investigations. Drawing on data from Comodoro Py, the nation’s most prominent federal courthouse, this presentation examines how partisan bias influences prosecutorial decisions. Leveraging the random assignment of cases to courts, we reveal that prosecutors appointed by different presidents disproportionately shield partisan allies and target opposition members. These findings challenge conventional theories of executive influence, offering new insights into how polarization reconfigures the relationship between the judiciary and political actors in highly polarized environments.