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Discontent and the Left Turn in Latin America*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 November 2013

Nina Wiesehomeier  and
David Doyle
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Abstract

The electoral success of the left across Latin America has largely been interpreted as a backlash against globalization and a manifestation of anti-market voting of citizens increasingly frustrated with their experience of representative democracy. However, studies trying to test these propositions show rather inconclusive results and face the problem of translating objective economic conditions into observable individual perceptions. This article contends that theories of subjective well-being in psychology and economics can shed light on this left turn. In particular, life satisfaction, as a manifestation of experienced utility, can help explain the electoral outcomes observed throughout the region. The findings show that support for the left is higher the more unsatisfied voters are under a right incumbent.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Political Science Research and Methods , Volume 1 , Issue 2 , December 2013 , pp. 201 - 221
Copyright
Copyright © The European Political Science Association 2013 

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Footnotes

*

Nina Wiesehomeier is Lecturer in Politics, Department of Political & Cultural Studies Swansea University, James Callaghan Building Singleton Park Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK ([email protected]). David Doyle is University Lecturer, Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Oxford, Manor Road Building, Manor Road, Oxford, OX1 3UQ, UK ([email protected]). To view supplementary material for this article, please visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/psrm.2013.14

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