Between exit and voice. Differential factors of abstentionists and populist voters in Portugal

  1. Marco Lisi 1
  2. Carolina Plaza-Colodro 2
  1. 1 Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa
  2. 2 Universidad de Salamanca
    info

    Universidad de Salamanca

    Salamanca, España

    ROR https://ror.org/02f40zc51

Journal:
Análise social

ISSN: 0003-2573

Year of publication: 2024

Volume: 59

Issue: 251

Pages: 2-32

Type: Article

DOI: 10.31447/2022119 DIALNET GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openOpen access editor

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Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between the rise of populist support and increas-ing rates of abstention in European democracies. Empirical studies have shown that populist parties are gaining traction among voters, while abstention rates are also on the rise, particularly among “temporary” abstentionists who refrain from voting due to situational factors. We delve into this matter by utilising an original survey on a representative sample of the Portuguese population conducted in 2020. The findings suggest that there are similarities between voting for populist radical right parties and abstention, particularly in terms of “protest” attitudes, which set them apart from supporters of non-populist parties. Additionally, the study indicates that both phenomena are influenced by shortterm factors related to the supply side of politics. However, abstentionists are more likely to belong to lower socio-economic strata and exhibit lower levels of political interest