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Media, Secret Ballot, and Democratization in the US

Author

Listed:
  • Leopoldo Fergusson
  • Juan Felipe Riaño
  • B. K. Song

Abstract

Can the media determine the success or failure of major institutional reforms? We study the adoption of secret voting in the United States and the complementary role of the media in this arguably crucial step to improve democracy. Using a difference-in-differences identification strategy and a rich dataset on local newspapers, we show that in areas with high media penetration, democratization outcomes improved following the adoption of the secret ballot. Specifically, the press contributed to the decrease in partisan attachment and support for dominant parties. Remarkably, it also undermined the manipulation of electoral boundaries (redistricting) and the unintentional decline in turnout incentivized with the secret ballot. To further address the potential endogeneity of newspapers, we use an instrumental variable that exploits the introduction of wood-pulp paper technology in 1880 and counties' initial woodland coverage. We argue that the media mattered through the distribution of information to voters and increased public awareness about political misconduct.

Suggested Citation

  • Leopoldo Fergusson & Juan Felipe Riaño & B. K. Song, 2023. "Media, Secret Ballot, and Democratization in the US," Journal of Historical Political Economy, now publishers, vol. 3(3), pages 391-425, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:now:jnlhpe:115.00000057
    DOI: 10.1561/115.00000057
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    Cited by:

    1. is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Ferlenga, Francesco & Knight, Brian, 2025. "Vote early and vote often? Detecting electoral fraud from the timing of 19th century elections," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • D73 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption
    • D80 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - General
    • L82 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Entertainment; Media

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