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Economic preferences, personality, and voting

Author

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  • Thomas Buser

    (University of Amsterdam and Tinbergen Institute)

Abstract

I analyze Dutch survey data that contains rich information on political preferences, personality traits, and socioeconomic background. I show that voting and political opinions are better predicted by personality and economic preferences than by a rich set of socioeconomic characteristics. Personality differences also explain large parts of the gender and education gaps in voting and ideology. The detailed survey data and large number of parties represented in Dutch parliament allow analysis beyond a simple left-right framework. Personality differences are particularly predictive of support for populist right-wing parties and of attitudes towards social issues, including immigration, climate change and European integration.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Buser, 2025. "Economic preferences, personality, and voting," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 25-035/I, Tinbergen Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:tin:wpaper:20250035
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    File URL: https://papers.tinbergen.nl/25035.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Francisco Gomez-Martinez & Holger Herz, 2025. "Who Wants Power? Measuring Intrinsic Preferences for Power and Their Behavioral Signature," CESifo Working Paper Series 12241, CESifo.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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