This paper studies a dynamic model of electoral competition where two parties (or candidates) compete for power over redistribution and over public employment/public good provision. Parties only have diverging preferences over redistribution. Never-theless, since public employment affects voters ’ long run political preferences, they commit and implement socially suboptimal policies to improve their long term elec-toral strength. We investigate the non-institutional and institutional determinants of the resulting distortions in platforms and implemented policies. We find that more forward looking voters or more political persistence increase distortions. Consensual constitutions (as opposed to majoritarian) are associated with more platform...