Abstract
This article proposes a new interpretation of the regional distribution of votes in the dispute for legislative offices in Brazil. The literature has traditionally understood regionalization to be evidence that politicians deliberately create zones of influences in certain areas. We argue, however, that other dimensions of the Brazilian electoral system, notably the large size and magnitude of electoral districts, reinforce the information that reaches voters and adds value to geographic aspects, such as the home city of the candidates, accounting for the spatial concentration of votes. Using new, previously unpublished, data on the hierarchy of cities, the results for Sao Paulo between 1998 and 2014 confirm this interpretation. This result suggests a new theoretical understanding about how the Brazilian political system works by introducing another explanation for how certain areas become influential, thereby revealing new research agendas.
Highlights
This article proposes a new interpretation of the regional distribution of votes in the dispute for legislative offices in Brazil
The conventional explanation for the regionalization of the vote in Brazil is distributivist: deputies win over voters by providing pork, and voters reciprocate with their votes
Informal districts (AMES, 1995b, 2003) are built intentionally. This explanation would even fit with the political history of Brazil
Summary
The regionalization of votes becomes a potential component of parties' and candidates' strategies because it is a natural consequence of the magnitude and size of the electoral districts, without implying a certain type of relationship between politicians and voters In this sense, the vote is the result of a process that is geographically conditioned along multiple dimensions (AGNEW, 1987). By incorporating context and location, we argue that politicians and voters are influenced, for instance, by the space of daily transit, information sources, and the cities that they visit during the campaign and at the moment in which votes are decided This geographical dimension behaves differently depending on the electoral rules.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
