An Economic Analysis of Voting in Sweden

Public Choice, 127 (3), 251-265, 2006

Uppsala Univ., Economics Working Paper No. 2001:18

42 Pages Posted: 25 Nov 2001 Last revised: 2 Feb 2017

See all articles by Henrik Jordahl

Henrik Jordahl

Örebro University - School of Business; Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN); CESifo; IZA

Date Written: October 1, 2001

Abstract

This paper presents a theoretical model of rational retrospective voting, which is tested empirically on pooled cross-sectional and panel data from the Swedish Election Studies between 1985 and 1994 supplemented with time series on inflation and unemployment. Compared with the cross-sectional estimates, the panel estimates indicate a relatively greater impact of macroeconomic variables on the individual vote. The principal finding is, however, that microeconomic variables influence the vote about as much as macroeconomic variables do. In consequence, self-interest appears to be an important part of an adequate understanding of economic voting in Sweden. Regarding the determination of election outcomes, macroeconomic variables have been more influential.

Keywords: Elections, voting behavior, pocketbook voting, self-interest, public interest

JEL Classification: C23, D72

Suggested Citation

Jordahl, Henrik, An Economic Analysis of Voting in Sweden (October 1, 2001). Public Choice, 127 (3), 251-265, 2006, Uppsala Univ., Economics Working Paper No. 2001:18, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=291739 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.291739

Henrik Jordahl (Contact Author)

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