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Civil Rights Protests and Election Outcomes: Exploring the Effects of the Poor People's Campaign

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  • D. Mark Anderson
  • Kerwin Charles
  • Krzysztof Karbownik
  • Daniel I. Rees
  • Camila Steffens

Abstract

The Poor People’s Campaign (PPC) of 1968 was focused on highlighting, and ultimately reducing, poverty in the United States. As part of the campaign, protestors from across the country were transported to Washington, D.C. in 6 separate bus caravans, each of which made stops en route to rest, recruit, and hold non-violent protests. Using data from 1960-1970, we estimate the effects of these protests on congressional election outcomes. In the South, we find that PPC protests led to reductions in Democratic vote share and turnout, while in the West they may have benefited Democratic candidates at the expense of their Republican rivals.

Suggested Citation

  • D. Mark Anderson & Kerwin Charles & Krzysztof Karbownik & Daniel I. Rees & Camila Steffens, 2023. "Civil Rights Protests and Election Outcomes: Exploring the Effects of the Poor People's Campaign," NBER Working Papers 31973, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:31973
    Note: DAE LE PE POL
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • I30 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • N32 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - U.S.; Canada: 1913-

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