Pocketbook Voting and Social Preferences in Referenda

Arbeitspapier

We study the role of self-interest and social preferences in referenda. Our analysis is based on collective purchasing decisions of university students on deep-discount flat rate tickets for public transportation and culture. Individual usage data allows quantifying monetary benefits associated with each ticket. We find that turnout is much higher among students who benefit a lot from having a ticket, suggesting instrumental voting. In each referendum, a majority votes in line with self-interest, providing strong evidence for pocketbook voting. However, social preferences like altruism, public good considerations and paternalism shift the vote of a sizable minority against their own financial interest.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: CESifo Working Paper ; No. 5267

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior ; Public Goods ; Altruism; Philanthropy; Intergenerational Transfers
• Subject: pocketbook voting ; social preferences ; altruism ; instrumental voting ; public goods ; referendum

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Meya, Johannes ; Poutvaara, Panu ; Schwager, Robert
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Center for Economic Studies and ifo Institute (CESifo)
• (where): Munich
• (when): 2015

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/108815
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:43 AM CET