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Racially Polarized Voting in a Southern U.S. Election: How Urbanization and Residential Segregation Shape Voting Patterns

Author

Listed:
  • Russel Weaver

    (Texas State University)

  • Sharmistha Bagchi-Sen

    (University at Buffalo, SUNY)

Abstract

This paper advances a model of racially polarized voting that captures the intervening effects of urbanization and residential segregation on white voters’ political behavior. The model is tested for a 2011 referendum election in the U.S. state of Mississippi. Using King’s method of ecological inference and weighted least squares regression, we find that regional minority population size impacts white opposition to minority-preferred political alternatives both directly and indirectly through an effect on residential racial segregation. Importantly, these influences hinge on intra-regional patterns of urbanization. The findings have important implications for understanding spatial variation in regional political behavior and intergroup relations.

Suggested Citation

  • Russel Weaver & Sharmistha Bagchi-Sen, 2015. "Racially Polarized Voting in a Southern U.S. Election: How Urbanization and Residential Segregation Shape Voting Patterns," The Review of Regional Studies, Southern Regional Science Association, vol. 45(1), pages 15-34, Spring.
    • Handle: RePEc:rre:publsh:v45:y:2015:i:1:p:15-34
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Baodong Liu, 2001. "The Positive Effect of Black Density on White Crossover Voting: Reconsidering Social Interaction Theory," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 82(3), pages 602-615, September.
    2. Christopher A. Cooper & H. Gibbs Knotts, 2006. "Region, Race, and Support for the South Carolina Confederate Flag," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 87(1), pages 142-154, March.
    3. Christine H. Roch & Michael Rushton, 2008. "Racial Context and Voting over Taxes," Public Finance Review, , vol. 36(5), pages 614-634, September.
    4. G–khan R. Karahan & William F. Shughart II, 2004. "Under Two Flags: Symbolic Voting in the State of Mississippi," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 118(1_2), pages 105-124, January.
    5. J. Eric Oliver & Janelle Wong, 2003. "Intergroup Prejudice in Multiethnic Settings," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 47(4), pages 567-582, October.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    regional political behavior; race; polarization; urban; segregation; southern politics;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • Z18 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Public Policy

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