Internet and voting in the social media era: Evidence from a local broadband policy

Samuele Poy () and Simone Schüller

Research Policy, 2020, vol. 49, issue 1

Abstract: This paper analyzes the causal impact of broadband Internet on electoral outcomes beyond the introduction phase of broadband technology—that is, in the social media era—based on a local broadband policy. We exploit the staged infrastructure upgrade across rural municipalities in the Province of Trento (Italy), generating exogenous (spatial and temporal) variation in the provision of advanced broadband technology (ADSL2+). Using a difference-in-differences strategy, we find positive effects of ADSL2+ availability on overall electoral turnout at national parliamentary elections. Party vote analysis shows significant shifts across the ideological spectrum. These shifts, however, are likely transitory rather than persistent. Placebo estimates support a causal interpretation. Further evidence shows that the policy caused private broadband take-up at the extensive margin rather than a speed upgrade. We also provide evidence in support of social media use as a major mechanism for turnout effects.

Keywords: Broadband Internet; Political participation; Voting behavior; Quasi-natural experiment; Social media (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D72 L82 L86 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Working Paper: Internet and voting in the social media era: Evidence from a local broadband policy (2020)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:respol:v:49:y:2020:i:1:s0048733319301805

DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2019.103861

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