Inequality and elections in Italian regions

Bloise, Francesco and Chironi, Daniela and Pianta, Mario (2019): Inequality and elections in Italian regions.

Abstract

The evolution of voting in Italy’s general elections from 1994 to 2018 is investigated in this paper at the regional level, exploring the role of inequality, changes in incomes, wealth levels, precarisation of jobs and unemployment. Using a novel regional database combining voting results, incomes of employees and household revenues and wealth, we explore the drivers of non-voting, and of the shares of votes for mainstream parties, Lega and Five Star Movement in total electors. The results of our econometric models show that inequality, lack of wealth and precarisation are closely associated to the regional patterns of Italy’s electoral change. While political, ideological and cultural variables are important factors in Italy’s political upheaval, economic conditions appear to play a key role.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Inequality, elections, Italian regions
• Subjects: A - General Economics and Teaching > A1 - General Economics > A13 - Relation of Economics to Social Values; H - Public Economics > H5 - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies

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