Geografisk polarisering i röstningsbeteende
Nationella och lokala skillnader
Abstract
Geographical Polarisation in Voting Behaviour: National and local differences
This study investigates the geographical polarisation of voting behaviour in Sweden by analysing historical data from Swedish parliamentary elections spanning from 1976 to 2022. We explore both national and intra-municipal trends to assess voting patterns in urban and rural areas across Sweden and within municipalities. Contrary to international trends and several theoretical predictions, our results indicate a general decrease in the urban-rural voting gap over time, accompanied by specific shifts in party support dynamics. However, in the latest elections, we identify a marked increase in support for the Sweden Democrats in rural compared to urban areas. We conclude by discussing the potential long-term implications of these trends for Swedish politics. This research enhances our understanding of the complexities and evolution of geographical polarisation in Sweden and provides insights into broader global patterns of political cleavages.