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Hidden Networks within the European Parliament: a Spatial Econometrics Approach

Author

Listed:
  • Giovanna Iannantuoni

    (University of Milano-Bicocca)

  • Elena Manzoni

    (Department of Economics (University of Verona))

  • Francesca Rossi

    (Department of Economics (University of Verona))

Abstract

The European political spectrum can be modelled as a two-dimensional space, whose interpretation has been investigated in the spatial voting literature by regression analysis. However, data on legislators' positions display spatial clustering that is not explained by the standard models. We account for correlation among legislators by modelling spatial dependence across countries, using a new sets of geopolitical and cultural metrics. We confirm the well known result that the first dimension of the European political space is mainly explained by the Members of European Parliament's ideological position on a left-right scale, although correlation across legislators cannot be neglected. We show that spatial correlation plays instead a central role when interpreting the more controversial second dimension of the political spectrum. The most relevant proximity measures are based on geographical proximity, institutional similarities and on three cultural metrics related to which issues play a central role in the political debate.

Suggested Citation

  • Giovanna Iannantuoni & Elena Manzoni & Francesca Rossi, 2019. "Hidden Networks within the European Parliament: a Spatial Econometrics Approach," Working Papers 14/2019, University of Verona, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ver:wpaper:14/2019
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    European political space; spatial autoregressions; NOMINATE; proximity matrices; economic distances.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models

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