Mr. Rossi, Mr. Hu and Politics: The Role of Immigration in Shaping Natives' Political Preferences

34 Pages Posted: 14 Jun 2014

See all articles by Guglielmo Barone

Guglielmo Barone

University of Bologna - Department of Economics

Guido de Blasio

Bank of Italy

Paolo Naticchioni

University of Cassino; University of Rome I

Abstract

We analyze the impact of immigration on voting. Using Italian municipality data and IV estimation strategy, we find that immigration generates a sizable causal increase in votes for the centre-right coalition, which has a political platform less favorable to immigrants. Additional findings are: big cities behave differently, with no impact of immigration on electoral outcomes; gains in votes for the centre-right coalition correspond to loss of votes for the centre-left parties, a decrease in voter turnout, and a rise in protest votes; cultural diversity, competition in the labor market and for public services are the most relevant channels at work.

Keywords: immigration, voting, political economy

JEL Classification: D72, P16, J61

Suggested Citation

Barone, Guglielmo and de Blasio, Guido and Naticchioni, Paolo and Naticchioni, Paolo, Mr. Rossi, Mr. Hu and Politics: The Role of Immigration in Shaping Natives' Political Preferences. IZA Discussion Paper No. 8228, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2450419 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2450419

Guglielmo Barone (Contact Author)

University of Bologna - Department of Economics ( email )

Bologna
Italy

Guido De Blasio

Bank of Italy ( email )

Via Nazionale 91
00184 Roma
Italy

Paolo Naticchioni

University of Cassino ( email )

Cassino
Italy

University of Rome I ( email )

Piazzale Aldo Moro 5
Roma, Rome 00185
Italy

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