The 2017 Regional Election in Catalonia: an attempt to understand the pro-independence vote

Adolfo Maza, José Villaverde () and Maria Hierro
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José Villaverde: University of Cantabria

Economia Politica: Journal of Analytical and Institutional Economics, 2019, vol. 36, issue 1, No 1, 18 pages

Abstract: Abstract This paper tries to unveil the main factors behind the triumph of the pro-independence vote in the 2017 Regional Election in Catalonia. The empirical analysis, which is carried out at the county level and by using a spatial econometric model, reveals that geographical location matters. The estimation results also suggest that the pro-independence vote is mainly linked to the birthplace of individuals. More specifically, it shows that the independence feeling is weaker the higher the share of citizens born outside Catalonia. On the other side, young and highly educated people are more prone to independence. Additionally, it is shown that people working in the public sector are more likely to vote for a political party in favor of Catalonia remaining in Spain, while the opposite happens for those voters working in construction. Finally, the results seem to dispel some myths associated with the role played by the county’s size and level of income on the pro-independence vote.

Keywords: Catalonia; Pro-independence vote; Explanatory factors; Spatial econometrics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C21 D72 R11 R23 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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DOI: 10.1007/s40888-019-00143-x

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