The Effect of Aggregate Economic Conditions on the Political Preferences of the Italian Electorate, 1953–1979*

Abstract

ABSTRACTStudies on Italian electoral behaviour have relied mainly on ideological explanations of party support. Taking a rational choice approach, this paper assesses the relevance and the impact of aggregate economic conditions upon the political preferences of the Italian electorate in the period 1953–1979. Without neglecting the strength of ideological and cultural ties with parties, it is found that economic considerations do play an important role for Italian electors. Increasing inflation reduces the electoral strength of the Christian Democratic Party while it rewards the Communist opposition. Growing unemployment shows an opposite trend, thus pointing out the peculiarity of the economic relationship that links electors to parties in the Italian system, which can be accounted for within a rational framework.