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Universalism and Political Representation: Evidence from the Field

Author

Listed:
  • Benjamin Enke
  • Raymond Fisman
  • Luis Mota Freitas
  • Steven Sun

Abstract

This paper provides field evidence on the link between morals and political behavior. We create a district-level variable that reflects to what degree charitable giving decreases as a function of (geographic and social) distance, which we interpret as a real-stakes measure of citizens' values on the universalism-particularism continuum. Our measure of district universalism is strongly predictive of local Democratic vote shares, legislators' roll call voting, and the moral content of congressional speeches. Spatial heterogeneity in universalism is a substantially stronger predictor of geographic variation in political outcomes than traditional economic variables such as income or education.

Suggested Citation

  • Benjamin Enke & Raymond Fisman & Luis Mota Freitas & Steven Sun, 2024. "Universalism and Political Representation: Evidence from the Field," American Economic Review: Insights, American Economic Association, vol. 6(2), pages 214-229, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aerins:v:6:y:2024:i:2:p:214-29
    DOI: 10.1257/aeri.20230222
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    Cited by:

    1. Cristina Cattaneo & Daniela Gireco & Nicola Lacetera & Mario Macis, 2024. "Out-Group Penalties in Refugee Assistance: A Survey Experiment," CESifo Working Paper Series 10950, CESifo.

    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
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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