TH13-04
The Electoral and Partisan Politics of Inequality
Jurado/Leon consider how the geographic concentration of the recipients of social spending affects the impact of electoral institutions on redistribution. Where recipients of spending are geographically concentrated, the canonical result that PR systems provide more generous social spending is reversed.
Combining the structural arguments of economic geography with a strategic account of party entry, Jusko compares the electoral incentives to cater to urban, low-income voters in the differing electoral geographies of Europe and North America.
From party entry to party organisation, Hopkin considers changes in parties and party systems-- and in particular the rise of the cartel party-- as a force undermining redistributive policy and egalitarian institutions.
Finally, Barrett/Kneafsey consider the complementary argument that greater ideological diversity within political parties may limit their ability to respond to increasing inequality with redistributive policies.