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Civil Rights Protests and Election Outcomes: Exploring the Effects of the Poor People's Campaign

Author

Listed:
  • Anderson, D. Mark

    (Montana State University)

  • Charles, Kerwin Kofi

    (Yale University)

  • Karbownik, Krzysztof

    (Emory University)

  • Rees, Daniel I.

    (Universidad Carlos III de Madrid)

  • Steffens, Camila

    (Universidad Carlos III de Madrid)

Abstract

The Poor People's Campaign (PPC) of 1968 was focused on highlighting, and ultimately reducing, poverty in the United States. As part of the campaign, protestors from across the country were transported to Washington, D.C. in 6 separate bus caravans, each of which made stops en route to rest, recruit, and hold non-violent protests. Using data from 1960-1970, we estimate the effects of these protests on congressional election outcomes. In the South, we find that PPC protests led to reductions in Democratic vote share and turnout, while in the West they may have benefited Democratic candidates at the expense of their Republican rivals.

Suggested Citation

  • Anderson, D. Mark & Charles, Kerwin Kofi & Karbownik, Krzysztof & Rees, Daniel I. & Steffens, Camila, 2023. "Civil Rights Protests and Election Outcomes: Exploring the Effects of the Poor People's Campaign," IZA Discussion Papers 16667, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16667
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Poor People's Campaign; election outcomes; voting behavior; protests; race;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • I30 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • N32 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - U.S.; Canada: 1913-

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