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Voter mobilisation in the echo chamber: Broadband internet and the rise of populism in Europe

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  • Schaub, Max
  • Morisi, Davide

Abstract

Can the diffusion of broadband internet help explain the recent success of populist parties in Europe? Populists cultivate an anti-elitist communication style, which, they claim, directly connects them with ordinary people. The internet therefore appears to be the perfect tool for populist leaders. This study shows that this notion holds up to rigorous empirical testing. Drawing on survey data from Italy and Germany, a positive correlation is found between use of the internet as a source of political information and voting for populist parties. By instrumenting internet use with broadband coverage at the municipality level, the study then demonstrates that this relationship is causal. The findings suggest that part of the rise of populism can be attributed to the effect of online tools and communication strategies made possible by the proliferation of broadband access.

Suggested Citation

  • Schaub, Max & Morisi, Davide, 2020. "Voter mobilisation in the echo chamber: Broadband internet and the rise of populism in Europe," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 59(4), pages 752-773.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:espost:214274
    DOI: 10.1111/1475-6765.12373
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Andrea Benecchi & Carlo Bottoni & Emanuela Ciapanna & Annalisa Frigo & Aldo Milan & Elisa Scarinzi, 2023. "Digitalisation in Italy: Evidence from a New Regional Index," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 169(1), pages 23-54, September.
    3. Albanese, Giuseppe & Barone, Guglielmo & de Blasio, Guido, 2022. "Populist voting and losers’ discontent: Does redistribution matter?," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    4. Joël Cariolle & Yasmine Elkhateeb & Mathilde Maurel, 2024. "Misinformation technology: Internet use and political misperceptions in Africa," Université Paris1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (Post-Print and Working Papers) hal-04423752, HAL.
    5. Gerling, Lena & Kellermann, Kim Leonie, 2022. "Contagious populists: The impact of election information shocks on populist party preferences in Germany," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    6. Alexa Keinert & Volkan Sayman & Daniel Maier, 2021. "Relational Communication Spaces: Infrastructures and Discursive Practices," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(3), pages 28-39.
    7. Kalypso Nicolaidis & Michele Giovanardi, 2022. "Global PeaceTech: Unlocking the Better Angels of our Techne," RSCAS Working Papers 2022/66, European University Institute.
    8. Salomon, Katja, 2020. "Dynamics of immigrant resentment in Europe," Discussion Papers, Presidential Department P 2020-002, WZB Berlin Social Science Center.

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