The Link Between Voting and Life Satisfaction in Latin America

Abstract

What is the relationship between voting and individual life satisfaction in Latin America? While studies of Western Europe suggest that voters are happier than nonvoters, this relationship has not been explored in the younger democracies of the developing world, including those of Latin America. Using multilevel regression models to examine individual‐level survey data, this study shows a positive correlation between voting and happiness in the region, noting, however, that the relationship is attenuated in those countries that have enforced compulsory voting. We then explore the causal direction of this relationship: while the existing literature points to voting as a possible determinant of individual happiness, it is also possible that happier individuals are more likely to vote. Three different strategies are used to disentangle this relationship. On balance, the evidence suggests that individual happiness is more likely to be a cause rather than an effect of voting in Latin America.

Tipos de participación política y bienestar subjetivo: Un estudio mundial

“…Este autor concluyó que la participación tiene efectos significativos a nivel individual, como en los sentimientos de eficacia externa; es decir, la creencia de que el régi men o las autoridades son sensibles al intento de influencia del ciudadano. Recientemente, el estudio de la participación política ha generado diversos hallazgos empíricos relevantes (Berinsky & Lenz, 2011;Christensen, 2011;Ekman & Amná, 2012;Marien, Hooghe & Quintelier, 2010;Vráblíková, 2013), y en particular se han incrementado el número y la variedad de estudios dirigidos a evaluar el impacto de distintos tipos de participación política en el bienestar subjetivo, aunque la evidencia presentada hasta ahora no es concluyente (Frey & Stutzer, 2000;2010;WeitzShapiro & Winters, 2011;Flavin & Keane, 2012).…”

Subjective well‐being and political participation: Empirical evidence from Ghana

“…Radcliff, ; Frey & Stutzer, 2000a; Di Tella & MacCulloch, ; Tavits, ). On the other hand, recent studies in Europe and Latin America have found that political participation has no direct effects on individuals’ subjective well‐being (Dorn, Fischer, Kirchgässner, & Sousa‐Poza, ; Weitz‐Shapiro & Winters, ; Pirralha, ). More recently, an emerging strand of research has modeled life satisfaction as an independent variable and considered how it affects politics (Weitz‐Shapiro & Winters, ; Flavin & Keane, ; Lorenzini, ).…”

“…On the other hand, recent studies in Europe and Latin America have found that political participation has no direct effects on individuals’ subjective well‐being (Dorn, Fischer, Kirchgässner, & Sousa‐Poza, ; Weitz‐Shapiro & Winters, ; Pirralha, ). More recently, an emerging strand of research has modeled life satisfaction as an independent variable and considered how it affects politics (Weitz‐Shapiro & Winters, ; Flavin & Keane, ; Lorenzini, ). An important research question that has concerned scholars in this area is whether subjective life satisfaction engenders politically active citizens or whether it breeds political apathy.…”

Subjective Well-Being and Political Participation: A Comparison of Unemployed and Employed Youth

“…According to this literature, two expectations can be formulated. On the one hand, life satisfaction may foster participation in voting (Flavin and Keane 2012;Weitz-Shapiro and Winters 2011). On the other hand, life satisfaction may hinder participation in protest.…”

“…Several researchers have used subjective well-being to explain political participation (Flavin and Keane 2012;Weitz-Shapiro and Winters 2011;Barnes et al 1979). Others have analyzed it as resulting from political institutions and participation (Tavits 2008;Frey and Stutzer 2000;Dorn et al 2008).…”