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Does Health Vulnerability Predict Voting for Right-Wing Populist Parties in Europe?

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  • KAVANAGH, NOLAN M.
  • MENON, ANIL
  • HEINZE, JUSTIN E.

Abstract

Why do voters in developed democracies support right-wing populist parties? Existing research focuses on economic and cultural vulnerability as driving this phenomenon. We hypothesize that perceptions of personal health vulnerability might have a similar influence on voters. To test this argument, we analyzed all waves of the European Social Survey (2002–2020). Our findings suggest that voters with worse self-reported health were significantly more likely to vote for right-wing populist parties. The relationship persists even after accounting for measures of cultural and economic vulnerability, as well as voters’ satisfaction with both their personal lives and their country’s health system. The influence of health on support for right-wing populist parties appears to be greater than that of income and self-reported economic insecurity, while less than that of gender and attitudes about immigrants. Our findings suggest that policies affecting public health could shape not only health outcomes but also the political landscape.

Suggested Citation

  • Kavanagh, Nolan M. & Menon, Anil & Heinze, Justin E., 2021. "Does Health Vulnerability Predict Voting for Right-Wing Populist Parties in Europe?," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 115(3), pages 1104-1109, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:apsrev:v:115:y:2021:i:3:p:1104-1109_28
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    Cited by:

    1. Mukhopadhyay, Sankar, 2022. "Elections have (health) consequences: Depression, anxiety, and the 2020 presidential election," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 47(C).
    2. Valtonen, Jussi & Ilmarinen, Ville-Juhani & Lönnqvist, Jan-Erik, 2023. "Political orientation predicts the use of conventional and complementary/alternative medicine: A survey study of 19 European countries," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 331(C).

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