Economy and institutions matter? A study of electoral behavior in latin american countries

Abstract

Studies of contemporary electoral behavior, in addition to understand the relevance of economic, have incorporated in their analysis variables of the institutional character. According to this theoretical framework, it is necessary to consider the political context in which voters are in. Starting from such precepts, this study aims to analyze the relevance of economic and institutional aspects in the electoral behavior of eighteen Latin American countries between 2008 and 2012. Thus, it measures in the extent to which institutional variables are relevant in the connection established by the voter between the performance of government in the economy and the rate given to the ruler. The main findings reinforce, in part, the relevance of institutional variables in the economic vote.