Inclusive Institutions and Support for Far-Right Parties

• In Event: Poster Session: Women and Politics Research II; Sexuality and Politics; Health Politics and Policy & Representation and Electoral Systems
  In Poster Session: Poster Session: Representation and Electoral Systems

Abstract

While institutions that provide a special channel of representation to ethnic minorities have become common, there is a remaining concern that these institutions may trigger an electoral backlash among people of majorities by fueling a sense of group threat. I examine the possibility that the introduction of minority inclusive institutions increases support for far-right, nationalist parties using the case of Croatia, where minority groups in some municipalities have been allowed to elect their own minority council since 2003. Using difference-in-differences and regression discontinuity designs, I find the null effect of inclusive institutions on support for far-right parties. My findings provide some optimism about the use of an institutional means for the political inclusion of ethnic minorities.

Author

• Taishi Muraoka, Harvard University