Navigating Economic Hardships: Partisan Perspectives in the COVID-19 Era

• In Event: Poster Session: Polarization, Cues and Information, and Public Opinion

Abstract

This study examines the influence of partisan bias on economic perceptions among South Korean citizens using survey data from the 2020 legislative election. Our analysis reveals a strong association between partisanship and economic evaluations, with ruling party supporters exhibiting more positive views and opposition supporters expressing pessimism. Additionally, we explore the dynamics of partisan blame attribution during an economic downturn, finding that ruling party identifiers tend to attribute the downturn to external factors, such as the global recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, while opposition supporters are more inclined to blame the government and ruling party. Importantly, regional analysis uncovers notable variations in aggregate consumer confidence, reflecting the influence of party loyalties associated with regionalism. These findings illuminate the intricate interplay between partisan affiliations and economic perceptions, emphasizing challenges in ensuring unbiased assessments of government performance.

Author

• Hoeun Lee, University of Connecticut