Making Unequal Democracy Work?

• In Event: Democracy

Abstract

In many democracies, voter turnout is higher among the rich than the poor. But have recent increases in economic inequality exacerbated unequal political participation? To begin addressing this vitally important question, we leverage highly granular data matching a decade of tax records with administrative voter rolls in a large municipality in northern Italy. With these unique data, we document several important patterns. First, the income-turnout gap has significantly widened during the Great Recession. Second, this has raised the relative social status of the median voter, lending credence to turnout-focused explanations for why higher income inequality may not increase demand for redistribution. Third, we estimate differences-in-differences showing that individual-level changes in income lead to changes in turnout, which are larger among the poor, but also persist among wealthier segments of society. We discuss theoretical implications of these findings, set in a context with strong civic traditions and low barriers to voting.

Authors

• Jerome Schafer, Yale University

• Enrico Cantoni, University of Bologna