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The 2017 Regional Election in Catalonia: an attempt to understand the pro-independence vote

Author

Listed:
  • Adolfo Maza

    (University of Cantabria)

  • José Villaverde

    (University of Cantabria)

  • María Hierro

    (University of Cantabria)

Abstract

This paper tries to unveil the main factors behind the triumph of the pro-independence vote in the 2017 Regional Election in Catalonia. The empirical analysis, which is carried out at the county level and by using a spatial econometric model, reveals that geographical location matters. The estimation results also suggest that the pro-independence vote is mainly linked to the birthplace of individuals. More specifically, it shows that the independence feeling is weaker the higher the share of citizens born outside Catalonia. On the other side, young and highly educated people are more prone to independence. Additionally, it is shown that people working in the public sector are more likely to vote for a political party in favor of Catalonia remaining in Spain, while the opposite happens for those voters working in construction. Finally, the results seem to dispel some myths associated with the role played by the county’s size and level of income on the pro-independence vote.

Suggested Citation

  • Adolfo Maza & José Villaverde & María Hierro, 2019. "The 2017 Regional Election in Catalonia: an attempt to understand the pro-independence vote," Economia Politica: Journal of Analytical and Institutional Economics, Springer;Fondazione Edison, vol. 36(1), pages 1-18, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:epolit:v:36:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s40888-019-00143-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s40888-019-00143-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Riccardo Crescenzi & Marco Di Cataldo & Alessandra Faggian, 2018. "Internationalized at work and localistic at home: The ‘split’ Europeanization behind Brexit," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 97(1), pages 117-132, March.
    2. Francesco Prota & Maria Jennifer Grisorio, 2018. "Public expenditure in time of crisis: are Italian policymakers choosing the right mix?," Economia Politica: Journal of Analytical and Institutional Economics, Springer;Fondazione Edison, vol. 35(2), pages 337-365, August.
    3. Sheila Dow & Robert McMaster & Andrew Cumbers, 2018. "Sine praejudicio? Economics and the 2014 Scottish independence referendum [Economics as a moral science, American Economic Review]," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 42(3), pages 597-615.
    4. Herman Rompuy, 2017. "Europe means more than just crisis," Economia Politica: Journal of Analytical and Institutional Economics, Springer;Fondazione Edison, vol. 34(1), pages 1-10, April.
    5. Irma Clots‐Figueras & Paolo Masella, 2013. "Education, Language and Identity," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 0, pages 332-357, August.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Adolfo Maza & María Hierro, 2022. "Attempting to measure the intensity of opposing feelings in elections: A polarization approach to Catalonia’s independence case," Economia Politica: Journal of Analytical and Institutional Economics, Springer;Fondazione Edison, vol. 39(2), pages 323-344, July.
    2. Stephen Ansolabehere & M. Socorro Puy, 2020. "Separatism and Identity: A comparative analysis of the Basque and Catalan cases," Working Papers 2020-03, Universidad de Málaga, Department of Economic Theory, Málaga Economic Theory Research Center.
    3. Hyun-Chool Lee & Alexandre Repkine, 2022. "A Spatial Analysis of the Voting Patterns in the South Korean General Elections of 2016," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-24, August.
    4. Jordi Argelaguet, 2021. "The Relevance of Language as a Predictor of the Will for Independence in Catalonia in 1996 and 2020," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(4), pages 426-438.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Catalonia; Pro-independence vote; Explanatory factors; Spatial econometrics;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population
    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models

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