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Political polarization in the UK: measures and socioeconomic correlates

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  • Daryna Grechyna

    (University of Granada, Campus Universitario de Cartuja P.C)

Abstract

This paper evaluates the political polarization in the UK and analyzes its socioeconomic correlates based on detailed county-level panel data constructed from the British Household Panel Survey. Three different polarization measures, computed following different strands of the literature, are highly correlated and characterized by similar statistical properties, which implies they can be used interchangeably in the quantitative analysis. The empirical evaluation of the determinants of political polarization suggests that regional political polarization in the UK is positively associated with the variability of job status and negatively associated with an increase in the employment rate and an increase in the share of natives in the region. The findings of this paper fill the gaps in understanding the political polarization in the UK by clarifying its measurement, correlates, and trends.

Suggested Citation

  • Daryna Grechyna, 2023. "Political polarization in the UK: measures and socioeconomic correlates," Constitutional Political Economy, Springer, vol. 34(2), pages 210-225, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:copoec:v:34:y:2023:i:2:d:10.1007_s10602-022-09368-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10602-022-09368-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Political polarization; Income inequality; Social inequality; Survey data;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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