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Media’s role in the making of a democrat: Evidence from East Germany

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  • Friehe, Tim
  • Müller, Helge
  • Neumeier, Florian

Abstract

This paper explores the causal influence of media content on voting behavior. We exploit a natural experiment involving access to West German TV within the German Democratic Republic. Focusing on federal and state election outcomes in the post-reunification decade (i.e., a time at which TV content was harmonized), we find that municipalities that had access to Western TV broadcasts before reunification have lower vote shares for left-wing and right-wing extremist parties. With regard to potential channels, we provide evidence based on survey data that GDR citizens with access to West German TV were less loyal to the socialist regime, less hostile toward foreigners, and exhibited higher levels of social capital. Our findings thus support the notion that access to free media influences political attitudes and facilitates the consolidation of democracy.

Suggested Citation

  • Friehe, Tim & Müller, Helge & Neumeier, Florian, 2020. "Media’s role in the making of a democrat: Evidence from East Germany," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 48(4), pages 866-890.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jcecon:v:48:y:2020:i:4:p:866-890
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jce.2020.04.004
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    1. Media påverkar politiska attityder – fallet Östtyskland
      by Niclas Berggren in Nonicoclolasos on 2019-02-25 05:15:01

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Voting; Extremism; Television; Media; Natural experiment; East Germany;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • L82 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Entertainment; Media
    • P30 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist Institutions and Their Transitions - - - General

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