Economic and political dependencies in cultural voting: A gravity model analysis of Eurovision

Alina M. Schoenberg (), Dimitrios G. Ierapetritis, Chiara Foramitti and Christopher Schwand
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Alina M. Schoenberg: IMC Krems University of Applied Sciences
Dimitrios G. Ierapetritis: IMC Krems University of Applied Sciences
Chiara Foramitti: IMC Krems University of Applied Sciences
Christopher Schwand: IMC Krems University of Applied Sciences

Romanian Journal of Regional Science, 2025, vol. 19, issue 1, 1-19

Abstract: This paper examines the factors shaping voting behaviour in the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) by applying a gravity model to bilateral voting data from Grand Finals between 1995 and 2019. Using Poisson Pseudo-Maximum Likelihood (PPML) estimation this work analyses how non-ESC related factors such as economic ties, population size, migration, and geographic proximity, diplomatic and political ties affect voting behaviour in the participating countries. The findings highlight geopolitical, economic, and diasporic dynamics underlying Eurovision voting patterns and contribute to broader discussions on cultural affinity and soft power in international relations.

Keywords: Eurovision Song Contest (ESC); European Broadcasting Union; voting behaviour; cultural diplomacy; gravity models (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C51 O18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:rrs:journl:v:19:y:2025:i:1:p:1-19

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