Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/233357 
Year of Publication: 
2021
Series/Report no.: 
Discussion paper No. 142
Publisher: 
Aboa Centre for Economics (ACE), Turku
Abstract: 
We explore the connection between social class, social mobility, and voting behavior in nineteenth-century England. To avoid pitfalls associated with survey or aggregate data on voting behavior, we use administrative longitudinal records preceding secret ballot on voters’ choices and occupation. These data reveal that the landed gentry, farm workers, non-skilled workers and white-collar workers voted, on average, more for the Conservatives, and petty bourgeoisie and skilled workers for the Liberals. The changes in voting behavior within individuals due to social mobility are immediate and mainly consistent with the same cleavage. Our interpretation is that voting was influenced by economic incentives.
Subjects: 
Class-based voting
economic voting
social mobility
voting behavior
poll books
JEL: 
D72
N33
N93
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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