Prejudice, Black Threat and the Racist Voter in the 2008 Presidential Election

APSA 2009 Toronto Meeting Paper

Journal of Political Marketing, Forthcoming

Posted: 13 Aug 2009 Last revised: 4 Aug 2014

Date Written: 2009

Abstract

We show evidence of prejudiced voting in the 2008 presidential election. We then go deeper to test if black threat theory explains some of this behavior. The theory finds empirical support, especially in the south. We also show that black concentration in an area works interactively with the socioeconomic status of that area when eliciting white animosity against blacks. In richer areas, black threat theory finds little support while in poorer areas it is evident.

Keywords: Prejudice, Black Threat, Racism, 2008 Presidential Election, Obama

Suggested Citation

Bafumi, Joseph and Herron, Michael, Prejudice, Black Threat and the Racist Voter in the 2008 Presidential Election (2009). APSA 2009 Toronto Meeting Paper, Journal of Political Marketing, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1452376

Joseph Bafumi (Contact Author)

Dartmouth College ( email )

Department of Sociology
Hanover, NH 03755
United States

Michael Herron

Dartmouth College ( email )

Department of Sociology
Hanover, NH 03755
United States

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