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Does Social Capital Affect Voter Turnout? Evidence from Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Nadia Fiorino

    (University of L’Aquila)

  • Emma Galli

    (Sapienza University of Rome)

  • Nicola Pontarollo

    (University of Brescia)

Abstract

In this paper we develop a new composite indicator, named Social Catalyst, able to account for the complex and multifaceted nature of the social capital in a unitary measure. We use our indicator, as well as its components, to explore the relation between social capital and electoral participation in the parliamentary elections in Italy from 1994 to 2008, addressing the potential endogeneity bias. Our findings show that (i) the Social Catalyst positively and significantly affects voter turnout in both Chambers; (ii) among the different dimensions of social capital, social norms and associational networks play a prominent role in the Italian regional context.

Suggested Citation

  • Nadia Fiorino & Emma Galli & Nicola Pontarollo, 2021. "Does Social Capital Affect Voter Turnout? Evidence from Italy," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 156(1), pages 289-309, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:156:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s11205-021-02642-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-021-02642-6
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    Cited by:

    1. Özge Kama & Tolga Aksoy & Hüseyin Taştan, 2022. "Economic Adversity and Voter Turnout: Evidence from Turkish Parliamentary Elections," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 163(2), pages 799-821, September.
    2. Jeremy Clark & Abel François & Olivier Gergaud, 2024. "Social capital, social heterogeneity, and electoral turnout," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 77(4), pages 1142-1168, November.
    3. Francesco Maria Chelli & Barbara Ermini & Mauro Gallegati & Andrea Gentili, 2023. "Investigating Regional Disparities in Italy’s Well-Being Since Unification (1871–2011)," Italian Economic Journal: A Continuation of Rivista Italiana degli Economisti and Giornale degli Economisti, Springer;Società Italiana degli Economisti (Italian Economic Association), vol. 9(2), pages 697-722, July.
    4. Tim Friehe & Christian Pfeifer, 2024. "Predicting satisfaction with democracy in Germany using local economic conditions, social capital, and individual characteristics," Economics of Governance, Springer, vol. 25(3), pages 335-377, September.

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