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Delivering the Vote: The Political Effect of Free Mail Delivery in Early Twentieth Century America

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  • Perlman, Elisabeth Ruth
  • Sprick Schuster, Steven

Abstract

The rollout of Rural Free Delivery (RFD) in the early twentieth century dramatically increased the frequency with which rural voters received information. This article examines the effect of RFD on voters' and Representatives' behavior using a panel dataset and instrumental variables. Communities receiving more routes spread their votes to more parties; there is no evidence it changed turnout. RFD shifted positions taken by Representatives in line with rural constituents, including increased support for pro-temperance and anti-immigration policies. These results appear only in counties with newspapers, supporting the hypothesis that information flows play a crucial role in the political process. “As the whole world has been drawn closer together by the inventions and uses of steam and electricity, so farmers may be drawn closer together by the universal practice of free delivery.” —Matthew Williams of Verndale, Minnesota as quoted in the 1900 Yearbook of the United States Department of Agriculture

Suggested Citation

  • Perlman, Elisabeth Ruth & Sprick Schuster, Steven, 2016. "Delivering the Vote: The Political Effect of Free Mail Delivery in Early Twentieth Century America," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 76(3), pages 769-802, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jechis:v:76:y:2016:i:03:p:769-802_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Becker, Sascha O. & Hornung, Erik, 2020. "The Political Economy of the Prussian Three-Class Franchise," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 80(4), pages 1143-1188, December.
    2. repec:hal:wpspec:info:hdl:2441/1dp7827s4n8ht8fk3qhmeuvd0o is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Wang, Tianyi, 2023. "The Electric Telegraph, News Coverage and Political Participation," IZA Discussion Papers 16317, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    4. Julia Cage & Edgard Dewitte, 2021. "It Takes Money to Make MPs: Evidence from 150 Years of British Campaign Spending," SciencePo Working papers Main hal-03384143, HAL.
    5. Julia Cage & Edgard Dewitte, 2021. "It Takes Money to Make MPs: Evidence from 150 Years of British Campaign Spending," SciencePo Working papers hal-03384143, HAL.
    6. repec:spo:wpecon:info:hdl:2441/1dp7827s4n8ht8fk3qhmeuvd0o is not listed on IDEAS
    7. repec:spo:wpmain:info:hdl:2441/1dp7827s4n8ht8fk3qhmeuvd0o is not listed on IDEAS
    8. Eric Melander, 2020. "Transportation Technology, Individual Mobility and Social Mobilisation," CAGE Online Working Paper Series 471, Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE).
    9. Beach, Brian & Hanlon, W. Walker, 2023. "Historical newspaper data: A researcher’s guide," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    10. repec:hal:spmain:info:hdl:2441/1dp7827s4n8ht8fk3qhmeuvd0o is not listed on IDEAS

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