Has Mass Higher Education Affected Democratic Politics? A View from the States

• In Event: State-Level Political Development: Changing Voters, Parties, and Activists

Abstract

What have been the consequences of mass higher education for Americans’ political behavior? Since the passage of GI Bill in 1944, increased government funding has opened the doors for hundreds of millions of Americans to attend institutions of higher education. Proponents of higher education frequently claim that it prepares attendees for the responsibilities of democratic citizenship. Research does show that higher educational attainment is associated with a range of political attitudes and behaviors, such as greater civic engagement, frequency of voting, political knowledge, pro-democratic values, and (more recently) Democratic partisanship. However, these conclusions largely come from micro-level studies of survey data, and it is often unclear whether the effects of higher education are causal. Researchers have not fully delved into the macro-level effects of higher education on voter turnout, policy attitudes, and other important outcomes. This study leverages longitudinal data from the 50 U.S. states, which vary in the educational attainment of their residents, to understand the macro-level effects of higher education on a range of attitudes and behavioral outcomes. The results can help us understand the extent to which the mass education of Americans has appreciably affected how citizens view policy, politics, and their roles as citizens.

Author

• Eric Hansen, Loyola University, Chicago