Abstract
In this paper, we focus on the effect of belonging to one or more minority groups on the probability of success in primary elections. We use a unique dataset of candidates in Israeli primaries. Our main finding is that belonging to one minority group decreases the probability of winning; however, belonging to two minority groups increases the probability of winning. Thus, being a new immigrant, a woman or a Muslim decreases the chances of electoral success (relative to a native male); however, a candidate who is a woman and a new immigrant, for example, has an advantage in the race. In some cases of candidates belonging to two minority groups, their chances of success are not only higher than for a candidate from one minority group, but also than for a candidate from the majority.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 657-671 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Economics Bulletin |
| Volume | 38 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| State | Published - 2018 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2018, Economics Bulletin.
Funding
In Israel, many of the parties represent particular ethnic and religious minority groups. Hadash, Balad, and Ra’am/Ta’al are Arab-supported parties, and Israel Beiteinu ("Israel Our Home" in Hebrew) is heavily supported by immigrants from the former Soviet Union. Bayit Yehudi is a religious party. United Torah Judaism and Shas are ultra-religious (Orthodox - Haredim) parties distinguished mainly by ethnic backgrounds (Diskin and Hazan, 2014): while the former applies to the ultra-religious Jews from Europe, Shas applies to the old immigrants from Asia–Africa and their second and third generations (Mizrahim) who feel wronged. Nevertheless, the biggest parties also appeal to voters who belong to religious and ethnic minority groups (Hazan and Rahat, 2000).
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Israel Beiteinu |