Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/282110 
Year of Publication: 
2023
Series/Report no.: 
Discussion Paper No. 418
Publisher: 
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München und Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Collaborative Research Center Transregio 190 - Rationality and Competition, München und Berlin
Abstract: 
This paper examines the impact of the large structural shocks -- automation and import competition -- on voter turnout during US federal elections from 2000 to 2016. Although the negative income effect of both shocks is comparable, we find that political participation decreases significantly in counties more exposed to industrial robots. In contrast, the exposure to rising import competition does not reduce voter turnout. A survey experiment reveals that divergent beliefs about the effectiveness of government intervention drive this contrast. Our study highlights the role of beliefs in the political economy of technological change.
Subjects: 
automation
trade
labor demand
voter turnout
JEL: 
D72
J23
F16
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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