Municipal mergers under local autonomy: Electoral consequences of city-county consolidation in South Korea

Abstract

ABSTRACT Municipal mergers have a significant influence on political outcomes. In this study, we present empirical evidence on how city-county consolidation amid the fully fledged introduction of local autonomy affects electoral consequences in South Korea. The results first show that the voter turnout rate among rural residents in the consolidated district decreases and the effects are greater when merger shock is more pronounced in the election. This confirms that an increased distance between rural voters and local politicians as a result of merger can reduce political efficacy and lead to reduced political participation. We also find that mergers have adverse effects on the voting share of municipal-level ruling-party candidates. This suggests that rural areas with a small population can still play a pivotal political role despite the risk of alienation after municipal merger. Overall, our findings demonstrate the complex relationship between city-county consolidation and the democratic representation of local residents under local autonomy. The results suggest that both political consequences and economic aspects should be considered concerning the process of municipal mergers.