Technological Change and the Rise of a New Political Class

• In Event: Poster Session: Foundations of Political Theory & Technological Change and Societal Conflict
  In Poster Session: Poster Session: Technological Change and Societal Conflict

Abstract

Post-industrial democracies are characterized by a general transformation of the power relationships between traditional parties and new incumbents. However, the implications of the significant changes in the occupational structure and the emergence of a new knowledge economy are not only restricted to between party competition. They also deeply shape intra-party dynamics and the succession of party elites. A prominent example is provided by social democratic parties in western countries, whose political leaders have generally moved away from their traditional working-class constituencies and have embraced new social and civic libertarian issues that appeal to urban professionals and cosmopolitan voters. Many parties have seen declines in working-class legislators and increases in professional career politicians. What are the structural economic drivers of this phenomenon? In this paper, I document how the occupational realignment triggered by technological change has shaped the raise of a new political elite in mainstream parties and has incentivized strategic shifts in the policy platforms of candidates. By affecting the distribution of economic resources in the electoral districts, technological change has triggered changes to the composition of political elites and to the supply side of politics. This phenomenon has relevant repercussion for the range of political interests represented in the policy debate.

Author

• Paolo Agnolin, Bocconi University