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Media, Secret Ballot and Democratization in the US

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  • Leopoldo Fergusson
  • Juan Felipe Riaño
  • B.K. Song

Abstract

Can the media determine the success or failure of institutional reforms? We study the adoption of secret voting in the US and the role of media in this arguably crucial step to improve democracy. Using a difference-in-difference identification strategy and a rich dataset on local newspapers, we find that in areas with high levels of media penetration democratization outcomes improved following the adoption of the secret ballot. Specifically, the press contributed to the decrease in partisan attachment and support for dominant parties. The press also undermined the manipulation of electoral boundaries and the unintentional decline in turnout incentivized with the introduction of the secret ballot. We consider multiple concerns about our identification strategy and address the potential endogeneity of newspapers using an instrumental variable approach that exploits the introduction of wood-pulp paper technology in 1880 combined with counties’ woodland coverage during the same period. Exploring the heterogeneous effects of our results, we argue that the media mattered through the distribution of information to voters and the increase of public awareness about political misconduct.

Suggested Citation

  • Leopoldo Fergusson & Juan Felipe Riaño & B.K. Song, 2020. "Media, Secret Ballot and Democratization in the US," Documentos CEDE 18229, Universidad de los Andes, Facultad de Economía, CEDE.
    • Handle: RePEc:col:000089:018229
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Media; Secret Ballot; Democratization; Electoral Reforms; Gerrymandering;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • D73 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption
    • D80 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - General
    • L82 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Entertainment; Media

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