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Long-Term Decline of Regions and the Rise of Populism: The Case of Germany

Author

Listed:
  • Maria Greve

    (Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany and University of Groningen, The Netherlands)

  • Michael Fritsch

    (Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany)

  • Michael Wyrwich

    (University of Groningen, The Netherlands and Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany)

Abstract

What characterizes regions where right-wing populist parties are relatively successful? A prominent hypothesis proposed in recent literature claims that places that are "left behind" or "do not matter" are a breeding ground for the rise of populism. We re-examine this hypothesis by analyzing the rise of populism in Germany. Our results suggest that the high vote shares of populist parties are not only associated with low regional levels of welfare as such, but also with the long-term decline of a region's relative welfare. Hence, it is not the regions that do "not matter" that are most prone to the rise of populism, but the regions that once mattered, but are in long-term decline. Moreover, we find that regional knowledge represents an important channel through which the historical decline in wealth explains voting behavior in German regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Greve & Michael Fritsch & Michael Wyrwich, 2021. "Long-Term Decline of Regions and the Rise of Populism: The Case of Germany," Jena Economic Research Papers 2021-006, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena.
    • Handle: RePEc:jrp:jrpwrp:2021-006
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Populism; economic development; territorial inequality; economic history;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R1 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • N94 - Economic History - - Regional and Urban History - - - Europe: 1913-

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