Consequences of Indirect Exposure to Violence for Descriptive Representation

• In Event: Political Violence in Democracies

Abstract

In this study, I investigate how political violence affects the composition and diversity of the candidate pool in democratic elections. Building on previous research that examined how violence influences the entry and exit of potential and incumbent politicians, I focus on how indirect exposure to violence shapes the behavior and preferences of local candidates. I compare the cases of Germany and Norway, two countries that experienced salient violent attacks on politicians in recent years. Using a difference-in-differences design and novel data on local candidates in Germany, as well as existing data for Norway, I test whether candidates who share some characteristics (party affiliation, gender, or age group) with the victims of violence are more or less likely to run for office.

Author

• Thomas Tichelbaecker, Princeton University