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Abstentionism and Class Divide in Italy: The Labor Market Roots of Economic and Political Inequality

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  • Margerita Lanini
  • Maria Enrica Virgillito

Abstract

Abstentionism represents one of the most evident failures of modern democracies. The root causes of the phenomenon are still quite difficult to understand. Why do people abstain? Because of lack of political offer or, rather, because of exclusion and marginalization? This paper addresses a potential root cause, linking political behavior at the ballot box to material conditions in Italy, over the period 1983-2018. Through the lens of a long-run structural analysis, conducting both non-parametric and parametric estimates, we connect the emerging stratification of the Italian labor market into social classes and the rise in non-voting. Our empirical results give support to the prediction of Power Theory, according to which economic marginalization, here measured through social class divides, fosters political marginalization.

Suggested Citation

  • Margerita Lanini & Maria Enrica Virgillito, 2025. "Abstentionism and Class Divide in Italy: The Labor Market Roots of Economic and Political Inequality," LEM Papers Series 2025/38, Laboratory of Economics and Management (LEM), Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy.
    • Handle: RePEc:ssa:lemwps:2025/38
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