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Inequality, policy polarization and the income gap in turnout
[journal article]
Abstract Previous research into the relationship between income inequality and turnout inequality has produced mixed results, as consensus is lacking whether inequality reduces turnout for all income groups, low-income earners, or no one. Therefore, this paper builds on this literature by introducing supply-... view more
Previous research into the relationship between income inequality and turnout inequality has produced mixed results, as consensus is lacking whether inequality reduces turnout for all income groups, low-income earners, or no one. Therefore, this paper builds on this literature by introducing supply-side logic, through the first individual-level test of the impact that income inequality (moderated by policy manifesto positions) has on turnout. It does so through multilevel logistic regressions utilizing mixed effects, on a sample of 30 advanced democracies in 102 elections from 1996 to 2016. It finds that higher levels of income inequality significantly reduce turnout and widen the turnout gap between rich and poor. However, it also finds that when party systems are more polarized, low-income earners are mobilized the greatest extent coupled with higher inequality, resulting in a significantly reduced income gap in turnout. The findings magnify the negative impacts income inequality can exert on political behavior and contribute to the study of policy offerings as a key moderating mechanism in the relationship.... view less
Keywords
difference in income; inequality; party; polarization; voter turnout; election
Classification
Political Process, Elections, Political Sociology, Political Culture
Free Keywords
party positions; CSES
Document language
English
Publication Year
2022
Page/Pages
p. 739-754
Journal
Party Politics, 28 (2022) 4
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/13540688211011924
ISSN
1460-3683
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed